THE carnival could be over as far as Farnham Lions Club is concerned, after the number of entries slumped to a record low at Saturday's event.

The bands, the floats and the walking groups that did take part were as lively and entertaining as ever, but the procession, with entries down by about a third, took just 15 minutes to pass.

Where in the carnival heyday of the 1970s there were up to 80 entries, this year - the event's 30th anniversary - there were around 20.

Where crowds of six to eight thousand once thronged the pavements, this year numbers were estimated at 2,000.

The customary debrief held later this month by the Lions, as organisers, could turn into a post mortem.

"The response from people locally was disappointing. Whether the club proceeds to organise and arrange a carnival is open to discussion," said Lions president John Carter.

Nothing is yet decided, however, and Mr Carter said that the Lions are open to ideas on how to freshen the event and encourage more participation.

The parade got off to a rousing start, with approaching 40 Minis of all types breezing round the town in a tour organised by the Mini Owners' Club to celebrate the car's 40th anniversary.

Taking the lead, in an impressive yellow "stretch" Mini, was John Hodge from Farnham.

The carnival theme of Animal Magic was taken up by lot of the entrants, including sponsors Badshot Lea Garden Centre on the lead float.

The award-winning Cavalier Marching Brass from Basingstoke, the Farnham Town Band and TS Swiftsure Sea Cadet Band provided music all along the route, as did the twirlers of The Herald Majorettes and Liphook Bluebells.

The carnival prince and princess, William Kenyon and Hannah Ketley, rode in style with Herald proprietor Sir Ray Tindle and Lady Tindle, on Sir Ray's vintage Speedwell.

The prince and princess represented The Bourne School which, if the carnival takes place next year, will choose the royal pair again, as the school's entry was declared Best in Show.

For full story, see this week's Herald