THE chairman and the treasure of Marlborough Carnival Committee, Ian Philpott and Vicky Gray, have bowed out on a high note with record proceeds of more than £5,000 being distributed to charities at the annual meeting.

Mr Philpott, who has been involved with the carnival committee for more than ten years, and Miss Gray, who has been a committee member for four years, recently announced their engagement and are planning to marry in the Spring.

He told the carnival annual meeting, held in the Jubilee Centre last Wednesday, that he had enjoyed working on the committee but was taking a break because of the busy year ahead in his personal life.

Mr Philpott said: "We have both enjoyed serving on the committee very much but as much as the carnival needs a break from us we need a break from the carnival.

"You do need fresh ideas and new faces to keep the carnival alive and we are sure the new committee will build upon the success we have achieved."

Carnival president, Mayor Maurice Cooper, presented cheques to this year's four recipients. He gave £2,500 to the Naomi House children's hospice, which provides respite and terminal care for children from Wiltshire and four other Wessex counties.

He also presented £835 each to three charities, East Wiltshire Mencap, the Jubilee Centre and St Mary's Under Fives Pre-school.

Vera Hamblin, chairman of the East Wiltshire Mencap, said the carnival cash would be used to subsidise discos, music and drama classes, a pantomime trip and other events for older people with learning difficulties.

The Jubilee Centre in the High Street is to put its share of the cash towards the cost of running its day care, lunch club and drop in sessions for the over 60s. St Mary's pre school is to use its donation to buy books and toys.