CARS may join this year’s carnival procession despite a high street ban.

Carnival organisers, Colchester Round Table and Ladies Circle, have applied for street closures for the July 20 event.

There were concerns that the traditional procession could be complicated by the introduction of the 18-month car ban trial.

But a Colchester Council spokesman has confirmed that the ban will be temporarily lifted if the street closures are agreed.

All other traffic restrictions, outside of the carnival route, will remain in place.