WORCESTER Carnival Day has been scrapped after a lack of public support for the event.

Organisers said today they were "gutted" but had been forced to make the tough decision after receiving only seven responses to an appeal for floats.

But prospective Carnival Queens are being urged to keep their entries coming, and the Carnival committee has pledged that a host of other fund-raising activities already planned for 2001 will still go ahead.

The annual event has been running for the past 36 years.

In its 1976 heyday, the carnival procession - which raises a huge slice of the total funds collected to give to good causes - attracted 96 floats. Last year, just 12 toured the streets.

This year, the committee sent 32 forms out to groups, organisations and firms. Three were sent back. A further four responded after an appeal in the Evening News.

"We're absolutely gutted," said carnival committee chairman Trevor Smith. "But there was no way we could run a carnival procession with just seven floats.

Charities

"We have to pay the police to provide us with officers, as well as paying for bands, entertainers and marquees.

"We can't operate at a loss. Otherwise, we'll be paying the money from our own pockets.

"This is a very sad day for Worcester. The procession brings families into the centre of Worcester to have a good time and raise money for charities. I've been on the committee for the past 27 years, and I can't believe this day has come."

The committee's publicity officer, Mike Dandey, urged prospective Carnival Queens to step forward.

"The new Carnival Queen already has 14 appointments booked," he said. "She's also been invited back to see the Woofers in Northern Ireland. It's sad she won't lead the procession on July 7, but there's still plenty of occasions for her to attend.

"It's very sad we've had to cancel the procession, because it's Worcester charities which lose out at the end of the day."

Mr Dandey said a number of events had been organised from mid-June to the first week in July, and these would still take place.

Football, netball and cricket tournaments are planned as well as golf competitions, a fun-run and treasure walk.