The news of the axe falling on Basildon's annual carnival has left this group of tots sad.

The Basildon and District Woodcraft Folk, based in Vange, reopened in October after closing 20 years before. This year's carnival was going to make the club's first year, a year to remember.

Each child, aged six to 13 years, had planned to wear outfits from the past 50 years to mark the town's 50th anniversary.

Now, as the organisers of the carnival - the Lions Club - look set to cancel the show due to a shortfall in sponsors, the youngsters are feeling blue.

Woodcraft Folk organiser Jess Lynch said: "I had to break the news to the group and they were very disappointed.

They were all looking forward to appearing on the float dressed in their costumes. It would have been the first time the Folk had been at the carnival in 25 years. It was a really big thing for them.

"The children just keep saying it is not fair and asking why it is happening to them. They all seem to be so deflated now. Their little faces really show how they are feeling."

The group has just come back from a successful weekend camping. Around 100 children took part in the trip and they all came back looking forward to their next event - the carnival.

Mrs Lynch added: "We were going to apply to the council for a grant to get the costumes together.

"It's a shame. We will not bother now."

Deflated - the children were looking forward to the carnival

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.