A CARNIVAL week in the New Forest got off to a flying start with a fun run around Copythorne and Winsor.

Mountaineer Rhys Jones, 20, fresh from his record-breaking Everest climb, fired the starting gun with 15-year-old carnival queen and Girl Guide Charley Gradidge, pictured above with carnival princesses Nicola Smith and Abigail Newman.

The fun continues on Saturday with Copythorne's 59th carnival which opens at the scout headquarters off the A3090 Ower to Cadnam road.

Following judging of the fancy dress and decorated floats, a procession led by Rhys in a sports car and the carnival queen will leave the fields at 5pm and travel along Romsey Road, Old Lyndhurst Road, Southampton Road, Winsor Road, and Pollards Road.

Copythorne's 10th annual Steam and Vintage Vehicle Rally is on Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Call 023 8081 3341.