THE biggest event in Stevenage s social calendar, which has been held annually in the town for the past 50 years, has been saved from being axed. The Comet reported in December that Stevenage Day was to be scrapped because the committee was insolvent. It

THE biggest event in Stevenage's social calendar, which has been held annually in the town for the past 50 years, has been saved from being axed.

The Comet reported in December that Stevenage Day was to be scrapped because the committee was insolvent.

It had been unable to pay a Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) invoice totalling almost �4,000, as it only had �1.07 in the bank.

But the event will now go ahead this year, after SBC's executive allocated �11,330 from the council's budget - subject to approval at a full council meeting next week - to fund it.

John Wells, who had organised Stevenage Day for about 20 years, had previously warned: "If they don't bring it back next year it will be dead and buried."

The event will be held on Sunday, June 13, on the King George V Playing Fields.

In the past, the family fun day has offered top attractions, stalls, games, rides and competitions, and provided an opportunity for about 70 charities to promote themselves.

But council officer Neil Hanley, who is organising this year's event, has warned that the fun day will not be on as grand a scale as previous years.

"It's not going to involve big attractions as it previously has," he said, adding: "It's not going to detract from the vibrancy of the day itself because we will be involving the local community."

Cllr Howard Burrell, SBC's portfolio holder for Children and Young People, Culture, Sport and Leisure, said: "There aren't many great days out that still offer free entry, but this event offers great local talent, attractions and fantastic family fun without spending a fortune just to get through the gate."

For more information about this year's Stevenage Day, call Neil Hanley on 01438 242670 or email neil.hanley@stevenage.gov.uk

*PLANS to resurrect Stevenage Carnival - axed in 2003 after 41 years in the town - this year are "well advanced", the organiser has confirmed.

Stevenage Carnival is set to take place on Sunday, June 6, and plans include a traditional street procession, a fair, and stalls and pitches.

Ian Begg, chairman of the Stevenage Carnival Day Organisation, said: "We have had an absolutely brilliant response.

"It's brilliant - the way its involving people, and we are well advanced on plans, but we want to get more people involved with the procession itself."

Mr Begg, of Fairview Road in Stevenage, added: "I want people to realise that Stevenage Carnival and Stevenage Day are separate entities, but it will be a week of festivities."

For more information about this year's Stevenage Carnival, or to get involved, visit www.stevenagecarnivalday.org