POUNDS are still rolling in from the carnival weekend and chief organiser Gordon Hughes said he has a 'gut feeling the event will break even.'

Families flocked to the weekend of festivities more than two weeks ago after the Spa carnival was held for the first time since 1996.

Mr Hughes said donations are still being counted and promised to issue a statement once a final figure was available. Any profits will go to local causes.

"I have a gut feeling the event will break even," Mr Hughes told the Advertiser.

"However, there is a general feeling that this was the first carnival for seven years and it has helped us learn more about planning for future events.

Costs

"We incurred a lot of costs, for example the toilets cost more than £1,000 to hire."

He said a number of committee members were currently holidaying and he plans to call a debriefing meeting on their return.

"We are very encouraged by the success of the 2003 carnival and we must now focus on how to make it better for next year. I definitely know now that more fundraising needs to be done well in advance."