HATHERLEIGH'S Centenary Carnival held last month netted a record profit of almost £2,000.

Hatherleigh Carnival Committee was delighted the event was so enjoyable and attracted what were believed to be record crowds and raised a grand total of £1,907.78.

Carnival spokesperson Louise Bater said that after this year's insurance scare — when organisers feared they would be landed with an 800 per cent increase in the premium — instead of donating the whole profit the carnival committee would keep £1,100 back in case they were not so fortunate next year in finding affordable cover.

The remaining £800 — still more than was donated the previous year — will be divided up as follows: Devon Air Ambulance, £200; Hatherleigh Brownies, £100; Hatherleigh Silver Band, £175; Hatherleigh Christmas Lights, £100; Parish Pump, £25; Hatherleigh Rotary Club, £50; Dartmoor Rescue, £75 and Multiple

Sclerosis, £75.

The carnival collectors gathered an amazing £1,329.32 towards the total and Mrs Bater wanted to thank all of them and of course 'everyone who put the money in their tins'.

Mrs Bater added: 'Collectively the WI ladies totalled £262.68 so well done to those brave calendar girls!'

She also thanked the Brownies who worked incredibly hard to collect £68.28 as well as picking up all the coins from the road that missed the last appeal truck.

The top male collector was Ivor Pellow, who raised £147.70, others who notched up good totals were Dave Elson, Captain Pugwash and Toby Dilling.

The top female collector was Jo Barrett of the WI, who amassed £90.59, other top contributors were Cindy Squire, Danielle Chapman, Helen Reddaway and Mary Pyle (WI).

Mrs Bater said the record crowds meant more work for the carnival stewards, Dartmoor Rescue and local volunteers who, according to community PC Mark Hoar did a 'fantastic job' stewarding at least 4,000 people without any incident.

PC Hoar said the whole weekend went very well with the visiting officers remarked on the 'lovely atmosphere' at the carnival. PC Hoar will be transferring to Tavistock this year so the committee have wished him every success there and thanked him for his good work with Hatherleigh Carnival.

Mrs Bater also wanted to thank Ros Chard for organising another successful Town Criers competition, which was won by John Reed of Topsham.

The committee would also like to thank the Rotary Club for helping with parking arrangements and Fay Kingsford who has decided to step down from judging the children's procession and decorating the market next year.

The winning badge number was 1339. If this is your number please take your badge along to the Post Office to claim your £20 prize.

The carnival committee's annual meeting will be held on March 17, in the Old School in the Square at 7.30pm — everyone welcome.