Carnival directors have appealed to the public for volunteers so next year’s event can go ahead.

The call to action comes after this year’s highly anticipated Maldon Carnival was scrapped for the first time in 68 years.

It was due to take place on August 3, with events on throughout the week.

It is the second time in recent years the event has been under threat.

The directors are now urging people to apply to volunteer for next year’s event at Prom Park in advance so they can be sure it will go ahead.

If the carnival is held off again next year, it could mean the end.

Matt Deal, one of the directors, said: “If the carnival doesn’t go ahead next year it could mean the end of the carnival.

“If we stop doing it for the second year, we will lose our grandfather rights for the procession and to close the road.”

A grandfather clause is a provision in which an old rule continues to apply to some existing situations.

Matt added: “Maldon Council has a bit of a leniency for the carnival at the moment, they kind of have trust in us.

“If we stop doing it now it will be a lot harder to start it back up again later on.”

The team needs people to help organise floats, direct visitors and organise press releases and paperwork which must go through the council.

Matt added: “I believe it’s a big thing for the Maldon community.

“This year when it was cancelled we saw it had a big impact on Facebook, even though not many people came forward to volunteer.

“I don’t want it to get to the point where we will have to pay out of our own pockets but that’s what it looks like for next year.

“If we don’t get the funding for the carnival it won’t happen.”

The carnival organisers hold fundraising events throughout the year to help fund the event.

Maldon district councillor Stephen Nunn said: “It’s one of Maldon’s traditions and it’s a shame that continuity has now been broken.

“I do understand it takes a lot of work and effort but we need volunteers to come forward.

“The carnival is part of the ingredients of the town and without it it’s just not the same.

“There are lots of people complaining it’s not taking place this year, but really the future of the carnival is in their hands.”

Email info@maldoncarnival.co.uk to find out more about volunteering at next year’s Maldon Carnival.