WROUGHTON'S Carnival Committee has dished out more than £7,500 to good causes and charities across the borough after counting all the money raised from this year's event.

The main beneficiaries were the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, which received £2,000 and Macmillan Cancer Relief, which was given £500.

Other organisations to benefit were the St John Ambulance, North Swindon Venture Scouts, Wootton Bassett Lions, the Prospect Foundation and TS Resolution Sea Cadets.

This good news comes after organisers revealed in May that the popular annual event, which attracts thousands of people from all over the borough and costs almost £10,000 to stage, had been close to being cancelled because of a lack of corporate sponsorship and private donations.

However, a raft of local organisations came up trumps to ensure the extravaganza went ahead for the eighth year in running.

Wroughton Carnival organiser, Tim Benson, said: "We're pleased to distribute this money a testament to the hard work of the carnival committee and support of the thousands of people who came to the event. "

At the presentation night held at the White Hart , Maralyn Dowson, Alison Moss and Jean Blackford were presented with the Bill Blackford Memorial Cup for having the best float as judged by the carnival committee.

The Independents, as they were known, dressed up as spacemen and aliens.