ROMSEY Carnival has been forced to cancel a long-awaited celebration due to "major health problems and a lack of support".

Party In The Park was supposed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the town’s showband Romsey Old Cadets on Sunday, August 27, after a year of planning.

But the Romsey Carnival committee announced it would not be going ahead on Facebook on Monday, August 14.

The post read: “Romsey Carnival is really sorry but unfortunately due to a couple of carnival committee members having major health problems and a lack of support we will be cancelling Rosmey Carnival’s Party In The Park.”

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The committee is made up of 12 volunteers and led by the Mayor of Romsey, Cllr John Ray, who’s been involved for around 30 years.

Romsey residents have rallied around the committee, commenting their get well wishes on the cancellation post on Facebook.

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Jaqueline Jax commented: “Sending love and positive vibes. The carnival committee works tirelessly for our community throughout the year and hundreds all enjoy the various events.”

Jeanette Clarke-Hills posted: “That is really sad. Maybe the Old Cadets could still have a 60th birthday party in Romsey.”

Secretary for Romsey Old Cadets, Martin Wood, previously said in September – when people were first being asked to save the date – that: “It is an enormous honour to think that people care about us in such a way, and to go to such lengths and organise something like this on our behalf. This really will be our FA Cup final.”

Cllr Ray and Mr Wood have both been contacted for comment.