Police costs shut down carnival

The Newcastle-under-Lyme carnival is over as the final parade has been held in the Staffordshire town.

It was decided on Wednesday that the event should be scrapped and the money spent on other projects.

Over the last few Spring Bank Holiday weekends police have had to bring in extra officers to deal with trouble.

Councillors have ruled that too much cash is being spent on policing and crowd control and there will be no future parades.

Council leader David Leach said insurance has also been a problem for the event which has attracted up to 40,000 people.

Instead of money going on the annual Spring Bank Holiday parade, some £20,000 will be spent on other events to promote the town centre.