CARRY on nursing was a winning message from staff at Milford-on-Sea War Memorial Hospital in the annual village carnival parade at the weekend.

The campaign to save Milford and other New Forest community hospitals from the threat of closure was a recurring theme in the Saturday night procession.

Every float carried a 'Save Milford Hospital' poster and organisers of a protest rally through Lyndhurst to take place on September 12 mounted their own mobile billboard in the parade which wound its way through the village centre.

As well as winning the hearts and cheers of the crowds who thronged the route, the hospital staff tableau also won a top prize from carnival judges.

"It's about having a bit of fun to boost the morale of the staff because we don't know what is going to happen to our hospital or our jobs," said one of the nurses.

Other winners with fancy dress judges and spectators were the Milford Royal British Legion's HMS Victory float, the village pre-school's Hawaiian holiday tableau and the galaxy of stars on the holiday park's Shorefield goes to Hollywood float.

And there were more "famous faces" in Milford Club's "way to Amarillo" spoof which brought the carnival cavalcade to a comical conclusion.

Meanwhile, at the head of the parade it was the skirling pipes and swirling kilts of the Ringwood Pipe Band which provided the fanfare for carnival queen Becky Butler, 15, and her attendant Katie Gates, 14, who rode in regal style after winning the annual selection contest earlier this summer.

Sally Reed, secretary of the organising Milford on Sea village community committee said: "It was a most successful carnival and we have been congratulated by many organisations in the village."

Proceeds from the collection along the route will be shared among local charity and voluntary groups.

First published: August 30