ORGANISERS of Tenbury Carnival are pleading with town councillors to have a change of heart over their decision to charge for the use of Palmer's Meadow and the Burgage tennis courts.

Councillors agreed to levy a £50 fee when they met on Monday.

Traditionally, a no charge policy for the carnival, all profits from which go to local charities, has been in force for many years but the Mayor, Councillor Janice Gluyas told the meeting she believed: "The time is right for bringing in charges for all council owned facilities."

Agreeing with her, Coun Maureen Pardoe said: "Parity is needed.

"I feel we cannot charge one organisation and not the other, it would not be fair."

Coun Julie Cooke disagreed. "The council should endorse this for the good of the town," she said.

Arguing that she was charged for using the Regal for her craft fair, the Mayor suggested that a sliding scale of fees should be set for charities.

Coun Keith Griffiths's proposal that a charge of £50, for 7am to 11pm use of Palmer's Meadow, be levied on the carnival committee was carried with a majority vote.

The decision was not well received by the carnival committee. Founder member Caroline Palethorpe said: "As a non-profit-making, hard working group of volunteers who, with the support of businesses and clubs, give their services freely, the sole purpose of the carnival is to attract people from Tenbury and the wider community.

"This generates free publicity and income into the local economy.

"I hope that the council will have a change of heart and realise the potential this popular day brings to Tenbury.

"Let's keep carnival day free for everyone, we deserve it."