HEALTH and safety regulations could threaten this year's Witney Carnival's procession.

Four schools have already pulled out of the event, while many others are struggling to meet strict health and safety regulations.

Helen Marshall, who is organising a procession for Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, said it was impossible to get insurance for a float, so the school's children would be walking instead.

Meanwhile, Beaver group leader Lisa Kinahan, of Witney Buttercross Scout Group, said she was struggling to find insurance needed just for her youngsters to walk the carnival.

This year, the organising committee has asked all participants to prove they had public liability insurance seven days before the carnival, which is set to take place on July 12.

Mrs Marshall said: "It's quite sad really. We are trying to ring round to get insurance, but school budgets should be spent on education - not on one-off events like this. In the past seven years, they've never asked to show public liability documents. The very essence of the carnival is the schools, playgroups, church groups and children joining in. It's very frustrating from our point of view. We are trying to support an event and the regulations get so tight, it isn't easy."

Mrs Kinahan said no haulage firms would agree to insurance demands for her six- and eight-year-olds to use their lorries as a float. She added: "We quite simply cannot get the insurance. It's heartbreaking for the kids. I've been doing this for seven years, and no one has ever fallen off a float.

"We've never had to have insurance, but now everyone seems to be struggling to get it. It's spoiling the whole event.

"Before, all we had to think about was getting together the float and costumes. It seems everything is being made a little too safe and taking away the freedom and letting them have fun."

Sue Moore, owner of Farmhouse Nursery, said the school was not taking part this year because of 'organisational difficulties'. She added: "With insurance and getting a lorry, it would be a nightmare."

Blake Primary School, Witney, has won the award for best float in the past two years, but was also not taking part this year due to staffing issues.

Headteacher, Marilyn Trigg, said: "We've never had to get insurance in the past. It can cost quite a lot of money to put this all on."

West Witney Primary School and Tower Hill Primary School have also pulled out.

Witney town mayor, Alvin Adams, said: "It is wrong that harsh criteria is put on such a simple event.

"It's not a rock festival, it is just a street parade with people having fun. I'm saddened this is stopping schools and community working together to enjoy themselves."

The Witney Carnival organising committee is run by the town's Rotary Club.

A spokesman said it was expecting a full carnival procession.

He added: "We have not received any complaints from any group.

"The form sent out to all participants has no major changes - groups have always been asked to make sure they have full public liability insurance."

Source: Witney Gazette