ORGANISERS of Bromsgrove's Silver Jubilee Carnival weekend are overjoyed at learning they have been given a welcome cash boost to ensure it goes off with a bang, but one of the event's main highlights faces the axe through lack of public support.

Organisers of the two-day fun bonanza have welcomed being given £2,500 to fund the fireworks finale in Sanders Park on Saturday, July 2.

The cash has been donated by the Ladybird Group, which runs a pub and lodge of the same name at Aston Fields.

The display will bring down the curtain on a free 'BromsProms' evening event where visitors can picnic in the park and join in patriotic flag waving and songs such as Land of Hope and Glory.

But organisers are dismayed the traditional and once popular grand carnival parade through the streets may have to be cancelled.

Jules Evans from Aston Fields, who organises the two-day gala and who is the wife of carnival chairman Jeff Evans, said: "It's very sad. It is fantastic news about the sponsorship but we are very disappointed by the fact that from the 500 forms we sent out inviting people to enter a float we have had only two replies.

"We had hoped, as it is the 25th anniversary we may have had 25. Insurance costs us £500 so if we cannot get ten or more we will be forced to cancel it."

The parade is one of the carnival's big fundraisers albeit all in small denomination coins.

Jules believes health and safety issues and lack of spare time are the chief reasons for the lack of support.

"We hope it will be a carnival to remember with pleasure," she said "Not for it being the first when we had to cancel the parade."

A deadline of May 20 has been set for entries.

For more information Jules can be contacted 0n 01527 576251.