THE TRADITIONAL venue for Ringwood Carnival is set to come back into use from next year.

This year's event will take place at Carvers recreation ground, after works were carried out at The Bickerley.

Wessex Water confirmed they recently completed remedial treatment to improve the drainage of the green.

The scheme to increase capacity of the sewer network and install new pipes to alleviate the risk of flooding in the area was completed earlier this year.

The utilities company have funded the installation of a protective track at Carvers for the carnival this year, which takes place on Saturday September 16.

This was installed last week and Ringwood town mayor Tim Ward said the council was grateful to Wessex Water for providing the track for the second year in a row.

"It's very unfortunate with the Bickerley for this year's event, but Wessex Water have come good again to provide hard matting for Carvers," Cllr Ward said.

"It's their aim to return it to the way it was before and I believe it is going to rest again until spring next year.

"The council are frustrated, but the work had to take place. It will come back but it is a case of being patient.

"Wessex Water have worked really hard, but they did not anticipate some of the problems they were facing there with the high water table."

Wessex Water said the event could have taken place at The Bickerley this year, but the carnival committee made a decision in May to host it at Carvers with the uncertainty over the usual venue.

Works to increase the capacity of the sewer network and install new pipes to alleviate risk of flooding in the area - part of a £1.8 million scheme - were completed earlier this year.

The carnival - which began in 1929 - is a registered charity.

Last year's event donated £4,500 to support local causes.