Who gets the £1,000-odd raised by last week's carnival parade in Northampton? The official programme stated that the event was in support of "Northampton Hospitals' Amenities Funds and other local charities."

Pre-war, of course, the carnivals raised money for the direct support of Northampton General Hospital. Now such financial support is not permitted.

So in recent years organisations for youth and for old people have been given grants from the proceeds of the parades.

This year it is expected that a variety of "good causes" will benefit.

In fact, over 20 applications have been received, and the carnival executive committee will decide who is to get how much, subject to Watch Committee approval.

But one of the certain calls on the money will be the amenity funds of the various local hospitals - which provide "extras" for patients and staff not covered by the exchequer funds.

All the available money will reach the good causes by the end of this year.