Romsey Carnival Committee is reviving a favourite event from yesteryear – the bed race.

The 2013 race will take place on July 16 and will be sponsored by Rownhams Bed Centre, who will be giving trophies to the winning team.

A prize will also be given to the best decorated bed taking part.

Romsey Mayor, Ian Richards, Romsey Carnival Queen, Ellie Hurle, and a representative from the bed centre will be judging the beds.

The race was a regular and popular part of summer carnival week from the 1960s through to the 1990s and even featured on a Pathé newsreel in 1969.

Due to modern health and safety regulations the old route has had to be modified, say the committee.

So the competitors will not be going through the river at the end of Banning Street, as they did when the race was first run in the late 1960s and, unlike previous events, the field will be limited to 20 beds.

The race will start from Alma Road car park and proceed along Love Lane, The Hundred, The Cornmarket, Bell Street, Market Place, under the arch towards the Park, The Abbey, front of the Abbey, Abbey Approach, Church Street, Market Place, The Hundred, Latimer Street, Love Lane and finish back in the car park.

At two points on the course, the beds will be required to negotiate an obstacle.

Each team will consist of five members, all must be over 16 and there must be at least one female.

Road closures will take effect from 7pm and last until either the race has finished or 8.30pm whichever is the earlier. On the evening of the race Alma Road car park will be closed to non event vehicles from 6.30pm and will re-open at 9pm.

Entry forms/rules can be obtained from Romsey Advertiser office, Kutz hair salon or from the carnival website.

After the race and prize giving, the Romsey Old Cadets will be giving a display in the car park as part of their golden anniversary celebrations.

For further information about all carnival events, please either e-mail romseycarnival@hotmail.co.uk, or phone 01794 502237. The carnival committee have a limited number of beds available. Call Andy, on 07577 147187, to collect one.