September 23, 1977

REDDITCH carnival's street collection raised £1,340 for local charities this year - but organisers say it could have been a lot more.

For they are disappointed the 1977 collection is £100 down on last year's figures - the first time this has happened for many years.

As a result the procession was shorter and Mr David Hughes, chairman of the carnival committee believes this influenced takings.

"We are satisfied with the quality of the procession but we're disappointed with the finance of it," he said.

And they blame the loss on the change of the procession route.

The colourful floats, jazz and military bands and street clowns had to be redirected to fit in with the town's traffic system.

Mr Hughes said: "All the money we raise from collecting in the streets goes to charity, the rest of the money raised from the carnival goes to cover the overheads."

Thousands of people turned out to watch the street procession which had 56 floats, 10 jazz bands and 2 military bands led by Miss Redditch Cathy Brennan.