A PROPOSAL to stage a £26,000 festival to mark the re-opening of the High Street is being floated by Test Valley Borough Council.

The festival pencilled in for December, has been called the 'time ring festival' and is aimed at encouraging people back into the town.

In his report to members of Test Valley Borough Council's executive, head of leisure, Ian McKie, commented on the impact of the investment and works in the High Street.

"These works are unavoidably disruptive and may have a temporary adverse impact on local traders, although in the long term we are confident their prospects will dramatically improve as the town centre becomes more appealing to shoppers and visitors," he said.

"To help offset the impact of these works it is proposed to help attract visitors back into the town centre by holding a festival in early December."

The proposed free festival would include a carnival procession based on the 10 time ring icons and a lantern procession involving schools and community groups.

Although there is no budget for this Mr McKie says £15,000 could come from the capital budget for the High Street improvement scheme, a further £10,000 is available from Hampshire County Council and a £1,000 contribution is available from the borough council's estates service.

Bad weather provides a 'medium risk' to the event but advertising and promotion could counter the possibility of a low turnout, says Mr Mckie.

Almost half the budget earmarked for the festival would be given to schools to help them in the run up to the event while a further £1,965 will be spent on the community group lantern parade.

Members of the council's executive will decide about the festival on Wednesday evening.