More than 30 floats took part in the Sittingbourne Carnival on Saturday.

The procession began in Vicarage Road at 2pm with the judging. Onlookers stood on the High Street as the floats reached the finishing point in East Street.

The event made £434 – an improvement on last year by £100. But carnival association chairman Pam Griggs says the carnival could stop altogether because the money raised is not enough to keep it going.

She said: “Going back four years we were collecting £900, seldom over £1,000, but we are now down by half.”

The carnival saw an increase in the number of traders taking part, from two firms to five.

Sittingbourne Retail Association chairman Nick Smith said: “We have never helped out at the carnival but it was a positive step to getting people to the High Street.”

There was also action in the town centre with rock band Complicated and performing arts group New Boys.

After the parade a ceremony was held at Bapchild village hall from 5pm until 10pm handing out the prizes, followed by a disco and dancing.

The Spirit of the Carnival award, given to an individual for their help or generosity, went to Abbey Plastering after the firm stepped in last year when a float driver pulled out due to health reasons.

Mrs Griggs said: “We put out an advert for someone to help and they came forward and they still do it for us.”

Carnival category winners:

Visiting Queens’ Float - Whitstable

Queen of Queens - Minster

Princess Pairs - Dover Town

Court of the Day - Sheppey

Majorette Troupe - Hawkinge Flyers

Child Pedestrian- Sheila Edwards

Adult Pedestrian - Christopher Taylor

Group Pedestrian - Sittingbourne Christmas Lights Association

Local Trade - Hawkesford James

Adult Clubs- Kent Kings

Children/Youth Clubs- Saints Cheerleaders

Voluntary Group - Sittingbourne Speedway Iwade

Spirit of the Carnival - Abbey Plastering