WITH just one day to go to the Battle of Flowers, the parade’s financial and floral problems have been solved.

As a result of a JEP article last week about the event’s lack of sponsorship, CPA has stepped forward to sign a two-year deal to become the lead sponsor of the parade. And the arrival of thousands of extra flowers from the UK this morning to replace those from Holland that were rotten has meant that float builders have also been able to breathe a sigh of relief.

CPA is a leading provider of outsourced legal support services and the world’s top intellectual-property management specialist and is based at Liberation House on the Waterfront, with more than 300 staff.

The company has refused to reveal how much money is involved in this deal however it has been described as ‘a significant amount’. The Battle’s chairman Tony Perkins said that without this cash there is a good chance that next year’s event would not have gone ahead.

• CPA chairman Geoffrey Grime helps on St Mary’s float. Picture by David Ferguson  (00581600)