OLYMPIC rowing champion Steve Redgrave will open tomorrow's Rose Carnival in Marlow Bottom.

The news that Marlow-based Steve will do the honours at the event is a huge boost for the carnival which nearly did not take place.

At one stage, the carnival was set to be cancelled for the first time in 25 years because no new people came forward to run it.

But a last-ditch meeting attracted new organisers and the carnival was saved.

Frenzied organisation has taken place since, and volunteers have been mounting a massive effort to make this the best-ever carnival.

The carnival raises money for the maintenance of valley playing fields.

The organisers are offering soccer fans the opportunity to win a pair of tickets to see a Manchester United home game if they buy a carnival programme.

Organiser Mark Harris said: "The fear that there would be no more carnivals and therefore no longer community ownership of the playing fields brought people out to help. I for one only moved into Marlow Bottom last year, but have been put in touch with a lot of people and found excellent community spirit."

The carnival will include a classic car procession at noon which will be led by a police escort and the Rose Queen.

Steve Redgrave opens the carnival at 12.15pm. Other entertainment includes a circus workshop.

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