A CARNIVAL dating back 27 years has been scrapped after police refused to accompany its flagship parade.

For almost three decades, youngsters and adults from Coxhoe and the surrounding villages flocked to the annual Coxhoe Carnival.

It was held every year on the sports centre field, on Landsdowne Road, and included stalls enabling local groups to raise money, fairground rides, bands, puppet shows, clowns, refreshments, steam train rides and a host of other attractions.

The event's highlight was always a parade through Coxhoe, involving colourful floats and a brass band.

However, following the introduction of new rules governing the organisation of such parades, the carnival's committee has decided to make the latest, which took place on Sunday, the last.

Coxhoe Carnival Group chairwoman Carol Gardiner said: "About three or four months before the carnival, we put in our application to the council to hold the parade and the carnival, and we were told that we had to go to a meeting on June 6. Basically, the police said they wouldn't cover the parade.

"We were having trouble recruiting new members anyway but that was the nail in the coffin.

"The parade was very important because it drew people in, and it was the main thing about the carnival.

"Without it, we just didn't see the point in carrying on."

Durham Police had said that for the first time this year it was unable to provide officers to accompany the parade, which traditionally started from Park Avenue Estate, because new legislation dictated that the road should be closed instead.

It told carnival organisers that they would have to employ a traffic management company, at a cost of £280, but although they did this, this year's parade route still had to be shortened.

Ms Gardiner said: "This year, the parish council is going to pay the £280, but we wouldn't be able to afford it in the future. A lot of people are disappointed that the carnival has finished."

No one from Durham Police was available for comment last night.