THORNBURY Town Council has refused to give any additional funding in support of the Thornbury Carnival.

David Goldring, chairman of the newly established Thornbury Carnival, asked the town council last month for £1,800 to help cover some of the costs of setting the event up, which will be held on July 4.

Thornbury Town Council had already agreed a grant of £450 to help cover insurance costs but an additional £1,360 was being asked for to help pay for toilets, first aid cover and signs for the event.

However, councillors have decided that they will not stump up any extra cash. The council is still prepared to give the original £450.

Phyllida Parsloe, chairman of Thornbury Town Council's finance and policy committee and the town’s new mayor, said: "Mr Goldring was hoping the council would be able to support the carnival financially.

"We have agreed to do so and look at the situation again nearer the carnival to see if there is a way we can increase the grant that has been given them."

The amount being asked for would have accounted for 20 percent of the council's small grants budget, and would have meant less funding was available to other groups which apply to the council for support.

Speaking about the council’s decision, Mr Goldring said: "We are disappointed about the council’s decision and it means that we won’t be able to have the resources that we wanted because some of the entertainment funding will have to be redirected.

"However, the carnival is still happening. There are so many people that have worked towards it and people within the town that are looking forward to it."

Mr Goldring said an application for £6,500 has been made to the Lottery’s Awards for All grant, which they are still to hear the outcome of.

Some funding has also been achieved through advertising revenue, donations and sponsorship from local firms.

The carnival, which will be the first in the town for 14 years, will start with a parade up Castle Street, led by the Band of the Light Cavalry. On the Mundy Playing Fields there will be a food market, charity stalls, a stage and a fun fair.

Late afternoon there will be a Spitfire aerobatic display, a fly past by the Red Arrows and then in the evening a balloon night glow.