Carnival atmosphere arrived early on Saturday when approximately £4,000 raised at last year's Pewsey Carnival was handed over to beneficiaries.

Dominating the proceedings was a large, yellow 11-seater cycle almost the length of the Bouverie Hall stage, done up by the lighting gang who are planning a 52-mile cycle to Christchurch in August to raise cash for this year's carnival lighting.

Carnival committee chairman Richard Giles thanked local organisations making major contributions to carnival funds: Pewsey Vale Running Club, £1,000; Pewsey Vale Amateur Dramatics, £500; the Zixex Club, £1,000; Pewsey Hasbeens, £750.

Cheques for £500 each were presented to Alex Carder, on behalf of Wiltshire Air Ambulance; a representative of Prospect Hospice; and Jo Cooper of Wessex Children's Hospice. Playgroups, churches, village halls, and various other Pewsey organisations received a share.