A POPULAR carnival will not include carnival queens or princesses this year, due to a lack of volunteers.

The organisers of Clacton Carnival have announced some important changes for this year’s event.

They said due to a lack of committee members, some events are being withdrawn and others moved to a different day.

A spokesman for the carnival committee said: “Sadly we will not be looking for a 2019 carnival queen and princesses as we do not have the qualified committee members to take on this onerous task.

“Another change is we are not looking for a main charity for the carnival procession.

“This year we intend to reward the groups who need funds and volunteer to help run the events with the money raised during carnival week.

“We have withdrawn the sandcastle competition and moved the fancy dress to the afternoon of the street procession, as we have not been getting enough entries.”

The procession and fancy dress will take place on Saturday, August 10, with the car boot sale and fete taking place on Sunday, August 11.

The popular Donkey Derby event will take place on Monday, August 12.

The Wednesday morning will include adventure golf at the Greensward Café.

That evening will also see the egg throwing contest and the beer dig, which are still firm favourites.

The carnival quiz will be held on the Friday night as usual, and the half marathon on Sunday, August 18.

Paul Townend, chairman of Clacton Carnival, said: “I regret we have had to take this action but the carnival needs more committee members as we struggle to manage a full week.

“The more people on the team, the easier it is to run a full week of events.

“We cannot seem to find people willing to come on the committee.”