Bunting 'ban' for summer carnival

The event will feature the annual carnival queen leading the float parade

Ferndown Carnival has been banned from hanging bunting from lampposts because of health and safety "risks".

Dorset County Council told organisers the colourful flags could snag and become entangled in passing traffic.

Carnival committee member Jane Tanner said it would not spoil Saturday's event, which she said had taken a year to organise.

The carnival is expected to draw about 10,000 people and will include a float procession around the town centre.

Ms Tanner helped organised the community event with friends.

She said: "The bunting gets everybody in carnival spirit, especially the children who get excited that it is happening.

"There's nothing in this town to say there's a carnival this weekend but we are not going to let it spoil all of our hard work."

About 10,000 people are expected to attend the event which will feature the annual carnival queen leading the float parade from Church Road.

A spokesman for Dorset County Council said: "Bunting hung between street lighting columns that stand close to the road can sag and become entangled in passing traffic, such as buses and lorries.

"We have therefore advised all town and parish councils not to attach bunting to street lighting columns but to use the other available options, such as between buildings at a safe height (at least 5.8 metres) above the road."