THE annual tradition of parades of floats at summer carnivals could become a thing of the past if organisers follow advice on health and safety.

Shildon Town Carnival organisers have dropped plans to use floats in their annual parade after speaking this week to Durham County Council officials.

The organisers met officers from Sedgefield Borough Council, the police and the County Council to be told that they would need safety harnesses or a waist-high rail to prevent children from falling off the wagons in the parade.

John Bowman, of the carnival committee, said: "It would cost £50 each for a harness for each child. So a float with around 20 children would cost £1,000.

"A lot of the people who take part in our carnival are schools and voluntary organisations and they just cannot afford that kind of money.''

A spokeswoman for Durham County Council said that its health and safety officers felt that there was a risk of children falling from the moving lorries.

She said: "We advised that if children were to be on the lorries then an edge protection to prevent them falling off would be one measure they could take or, failing that, they could use a harness or some other means of securing the children.

"It was a matter for the organisers whether they acted on the advice and we are pleased to hear that they have taken steps that will help keep the children safe.''

The council will be issuing a guide for carnival organisers throughout the county to make people aware of the various actions that can be taken to ensure the safety of children taking part in parades.

Last year crowds lined the streets in Shildon to watch 16 carnival floats drive through the town.

The event promised the same kind of turn out this year and organisers have vowed to maintain a colourful parade on Saturday, June 14, this year.

Mr Bowman said: "We have changed the format to a fancy dress walking parade.

"We will still have a float for the carnival Queen, which will lead the parade, and this will be followed by a host of jazz bands and brass bands.

"We are sure that the people of Shildon will still get behind us to make it a day to remember.''