WORCESTER Carnival has been cancelled just four days before it was due to take place – prompting bitter disappointment among city residents.

Participants who have spent months painstakingly preparing floats for Sunday's ill-fated bonanza were informed of the shock decision via a statement on the carnival's Facebook page this (Wednesday) afternoon.

The announcement, attributed to the carnival's committee, cited "operational circumstances beyond their control" as the reason for cancelling the event.

Disappointed staff from Headway Worcestershire - the event's main charity - say they have not been able to contact carnival organisers this week, despite repeated attempts.

Mel Akers, chief executive of the charitywhich supports people with brain injuries, said: "We have been trying to contact the organisers all week to check final details without success and found out via a pathetic message on their Facebook page.

"We want to know when they knew they would have to cancel and whether they were telling the truth when they told us everything was sorted with the police and city council.

"Service users have been preparing golden gates and costumes, families have spent money on costumes for their children and this was going to be a significant event for raising much needed funds."

Julia Protersaru, a fundraiser at Headway, said the charity's clients, volunteers and staff have been preparing their spectacular Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed float since Easter.

She said: "It is very, very bad news for us. We have been working really hard on our float.

"It is very heartbreaking to see that the clients will not be able to get involved in this community event. They do not get many chances to get out and do stuff, despite our efforts.

"It was a one-off chance for a charity of our size for actually getting some exposure."

The charity is now urging residents to come along to a fundraising barbecue bash at the New Inn pub, in Ombersley Road, Claines, from around 4pm on Sunday.

The Worcestershire Resource Exchange (WRE) team spent a whopping 130 hours creating an array of American B-Movie inspired props for their carnival float.

Kate Brookes, manager at WRE, also said she had had no official confirmation about the decision from carnival organisers and found out via the Worcester News' coverage.

She said: "After making such an impression last year with our giant skeleton puppets, we were hoping for a better organised event this year."

Anda Phillips, volunteer coordinator at WRE, added: "It was very disappointing to have to tell our carnival crew volunteers the sad news that we won't be taking part in the carnival this Sunday."

The announcement was posted on Facebook at around 2pm on Wednesday afternoon.

It said: "It is with great sadness that the carnival committee announce the postponement of the 2016 carnival celebrations.

"Sadly operational circumstances beyond their control have meant that the 2016 carnival cannot go ahead.

"The organisers wish to convey their apologies to those who had arranged floats, stalls and activities as well as members of the public who had planned to attend.

"But the committee also assure everyone that the carnival in 2017 will be bigger and better than ever."

This year's event had been billed as "bigger" and "better" than ever, with a longer route through the city centre and the return of floats alongside walking groups.

The carnival made its return last year following a 15-year absence from the city.

But that event also hit problems, with only a walking procession and no moving floats taking place, after organisers were forced to make compromises over health and safety concerns.

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