EASTER bonnet parades date back to the 1870s in America but they are still going strong – even this side of the Atlantic.

Romsey Comrades Club is staging a bonnet parade on Easter Sunday afternoon and all the cash raised will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.

The parade is part of the club’s Easter celebrations which includes a children’s entertainer, a disco and a tea dance during the afternoon.

Club stewards Carol and Malcolm Moss have organised the event which also includes various stalls and fun attractions such as roll the bottle.

“We are hoping to raise between £500 and £600 at least for Macmillan Cancer Research. Any more will be a bonus. I know a lot of people who have had cancer over the years and have I raised lots of money through sponsored walks over the years when we worked at clubs in Kent and the Bolton area,” said Carol who has been a steward at Romsey Comrades Club for nearly five years.

“We’ve already got bottles of spirits donated to us for the roll a bottle. People are welcome to bring along cakes for the cakes stall. I am hoping for a good turnout for the bonnet parade,” added Carol.

The Easter celebrations get underway at midday and the bonnet parade which is open to adults and children will be at 1pm.