Disappointment as annual Wombourne Carnival lost

The plug was pulled on Wombourne Carnival after insurance was refused for the popular event, regularly attended by 3,000 people.

Regular carnival-goers including an MP and a councillor expressed their deep disappointment at the news.

Insurance was refused because a claim for a young boy who broke his leg on a slide has not been settled.

The decision led to the annual festival being cancelled just weeks before it was due to be held on July 6.

The first carnival was held as a celebration for the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977.

But it proved so popular that it returned the following year and has been held every year since.

The event became a showpiece in the village's social calendar and saw pupils from all local schools including St Bernadette's Roman Catholic Primary School take part.

Parish councillor Michael Davies said: "It all began back in 1977 and was only intended to be a one-off for the Queen's Silver Jubilee.

"Because it was such a success they carried it on.

"I once got to lead the parade when I was chairman of the parish council and that was very enjoyable.

"I'm extremely disappointed at the news.

"And there will be a lot of disappointed people around the village."

The carnival was always held on Wimbledon Men's Final day but still managed to attract big crowds.

Organisers have pledged that it will return 'bigger and better' next year but warned that the procession of floats, a central feature of the event, may never take place again.

South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson said he would be getting involved in trying to resurrect the carnival next year.

"This is absolutely gutting news that will be met with deep disappointment by everyone," he said.

"It is a wonderful community event that brings the whole village together and we must do all we can to sort this matter out in time to have a wonderful Wombourne carnival next year.

"I will do all I can to try to ensure that it has a parade as well."

The carnival has previously been covered for up to £5 million damages with 48-hour full public liability cover involving the inside of Wombourne Civic Centre, the car park and nearby field, with the floats relying on the insurance cover of the lorries that carry them.

The public liability policy paid out around £3,000 to a woman who fell over a piece of netting in 2010 and last year a seven-year-old boy broke his leg on a slide. A claim made against the fairground owner in relation to the most recent incident has still to be settled.

The cancellation of this year's event will not affect the show organised by the Womens' Institute and regularly held inside the Civic Centre as part of the carnival. That will go ahead on July 6.