MANY months of hardwork to create giant props for a charity's float will no longer have been wasted after the cancellation of Sunday's Worcester Carnival.

Staff and centre users from Headway Worcestershire, which was also going to be the beneficiary of the carnival alongside Help Georgie, had spent over two months creating Willy Wonk-inspired chocolate bars, lollies and sweets to decorate their lorry.

But staff were shocked after the eleventh hour cancellation of this year's parade.

The New Inn in Claines was already fundraising for Headway with a family fun barbecue on Sunday and will now turn their pub garden into Willy Wonka's factory making use of all their props and costumes.

Headway Worcestershire, based in Gregory Mill Street, posted a statement on Facebook: "We are incredibly sorry to say that we found out earlier today that the carnival we were all very much looking forward to was cancelled without any extra notice.

"As you may have already heard on the radio and seen online and in the papers, we are devastated by this news and we are crushed to see that our clients would have loved to be part of this event but now is simply is not going ahead.

"Although we cannot use our 40ft trailer which we acquired from one of our supporters and we cannot be part of walking groups, we are happy to say that the FAMILY BBQ BASH AT The New Inn At Claines IS STILL ON AND BIGGER THAN EVER.

"The manager at New Inn has been of fantastic help and we cannot thank him enough for this. On top of the BBQ, live band, face painter and bouncy castle, we also will be decorating the entire garden as a Willy Wonka inspired land.

"Get yourselves and the kids up at the New Inn on Sunday, 28th of August from 4PM (or earlier!) and enjoy yourselves!

"The kids will love it, and they will be able to play "guess the sweets"! You will be able to take part in our family friendly Golden Ticket Raffle (tickets to the Safari Park, Cadbury World, Butterfly Farm and many more can be won!)

"Other raffles and tombolas will also be present, as well as actual Wonka Bars and Oompa Loompas (what can we say? we already had the paint and wigs...)

"ONCE AGAIN MASSIVE THANKS TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS, CLIENTS, MEMBERS OF STAFF AND BUSINESSES, PLEASE COME AND SEE US ON SUNDAY, AND LET'S CELEBRATE BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN THE SWEETEST WAY POSSIBLE!"

Meanwhile, the carnival committee has released a further statement after announcing it would be scrapping this year's event due to "operational circumstances".

According to the statement "personnel changes" have already been made and they promise to return in 2017.

"We have been reading each and every comment and can see how very disappointed people are.

"We can assure you that there is no one more disappointed than us. There have already been changes in personnel here and things are already looking up.

"Sadly too late for 2016 but 2017 will really be something to look forward to; especially when it comes to making it up to those who have lost out this year.

"We will release new information as soon as we have it but things are in a very fluid state here at the moment.

"Please bear with us and once again, please accept our sincerest apologies. If there was any other option to save 2016 we would take it."