THE annual Poole Youth Carnival has been cancelled due to a lack of support from community groups and schools, say the organisers.

Anthony Ward, chairman of the event, said that a small but enthusiastic group of residents had arranged the event over the last three years, due to be held this Sunday, May 17, along Catalina Drive and Labrador Drive to Baiter Park.

However, Mr Ward said that groups that had originally signed up slowly started to cancel and he felt that the organising committee could be mocked for continuing with the carnival, which would have been on a much smaller scale than planned.

He said: "Many organisations had agreed to participate in the parade and later at the events area at Baiter Park where a fun afternoon of displays and events had been planned."

However, he added, in the past few weeks many of the youth groups and organisations who have committed to participate in the event had withdrawn their support.

"Unfortunately, no participation from any school in the area has been forthcoming, even with two years notice of the event.

"These final disappointments have been too much to bear and very reluctantly, the organising committee of the Poole Youth Carnival 2015 met to discuss the viability of the parade, now reduced in scale to only a fraction of its original size."

Asked about the objective of the event, he said: "The main point the committee were trying to achieve was to give the youth of Poole a chance to show off their good side. It was also for the various groups to have a place to aid their recruitment, both for youth and adult helpers."

Mr Ward also thanked those who had backed the carnival and provided financial assistance.

He said that once the event's accounts have been organised and all debtors have been paid, a donation will be made to Julia's House children's hospice and Poole Hospital Charity, who were the intended recipients of proceeds from the day.

The planning committee said that plans were being made 'make it a success in the future' and bring the event back for 2016.