"FANTASTIC, brilliant news." Those were just a few words used by a relieved Jeff Evans, chairman of Bromsgrove carnival committee yesterday when told by this newspaper they hadn't got to stump up £3,000 to stage this years big June spectacular.

Earlier committee members were in despair after receiving an estimate from Bromsgrove District Council for £2,500 to pay for staff to erect barriers, rope off High Street and put extra rubbish bins in Sanders Park. An estimated £500 or £600 could have been added to the final bill to pay for road closures on the day.

Previously the council has done the work for free.

Each year carnival proceeds are spent on vital equipment and to provide comforts for patients at the Princess of Wales hospital. This year the rehabilitation unit will be refurbished.

Jeff said recent news that they had to pay the potentially crippling bill came too late for them to scale down this year's event to save cash but doubts had been cast over next year's 25th anniversary extravaganza.

He said he had even considered dipping into his own pocket to pay the bill rather than be embarrassed to ask townsfolk to give generously to the good cause knowing perhaps half the money was going straight into the council's coffers.

But yesterday council leader Cllr Dennis Norton (Con-St John's) uttered the words guaranteed to cheer Jeff and his colleagues.

He gave an Advertiser/Messenger reporter an undertaking he has given orders to council chiefs that the carnival is a special case and no fees will be levied. The cash will be saved elsewhere.

We immediately passed on the news to a delighted Jeff who said: "Thanks, that's a tremendous weight off our shoulders."

The carnival takes place on June 19-20.