A UTILITY company working to remedy issues at a Ringwood recreation ground have assured event organisers the site will be ready for this year's carnival.

Wessex Water have informed members of Ringwood Carnival Society that this September’s event will be able to return to its usual home at Bickerley Green.

The carnival has been held at nearby Carvers Recreation Ground for the last two years while the company installed new pipework and drainage at the Bickerley, protecting the area from sewer flooding.

Wessex Water say further land drainage work will be carried out in late March or early April this year, designed to resolve the problem of residual wet spots on the edges of the green.

Project manager Bruce McAuslane said the main flood alleviation works are complete.

“We have confirmed to the council and the carnival committee that the green will be available for this year’s event in September," he said.

“Overall land drainage at the site has improved significantly but further work is required to resolve issues on the peripheries of the green. This will be carried out in late March or early April.

“We’re confident this will be successful, but if there are still some localised soft spots these can be treated with the provision of structural matting.”

As reported by the Daily Echo, carnival organisers warned of a major financial loss if they were forced to hold the event at Carvers this year.

Wessex Water paid for a protective track for vehicles to be installed at Carvers in both 2016 and 2017, as well as covering additional costs such as advertising, but the carnival society had no guarantees on this returning again for a third year.

Mr McAuslane added: “All losses of revenue and additional costs associated with the carnival’s move to Carvers for the last two years have been settled.

“We would like to thank the Ringwood community for their patience and understanding while our flood alleviation work has been carried out.”

Mayor of Ringwood Tim Ward said: "It is good news. We have pushed for this and it looks as though Wessex Water have taken on board what we have said.

"A six month job has taken nearly three years so we are very happy this is going to be there and we hope the proposed new remedial work will address the problems."

Alix Gardner, current chair of the carnival society, said: "I would like to say a huge thank you to Ringwood Town Council and Wessex Water. We're absolutely delighted that we can go back to the Bickerley this year.

"The carnival AGM is on March 5 at Greyfriars Community Centre from 7.30pm. There are already a few surprises planned for this year's carnival."