DOVER Carnival Association chairman Bob Cook has revealed that the Christmas carnival events in the town were a “total financial disaster”.

He says the committee now needs to put the organisation back on a sound financial footing ready for the carnival events in the summer.

Miss Dover and her princesses either resigned or were sacked in the autumn, leaving the association without a senior carnival court.

The association's accounts reveal that the events during Christmas carnival week made a total loss of £8,651. The biggest disaster was the carnival itself which cost £4,495.11 to stage, and only brought in £75.34. Transport for the jazz band cost £550 alone.

A musical show at Dover Town Hall involving West End stars cost £3,644, but less than 50 tickets were sold, and takings were only £362.80, not even enough to cover the cost of hiring the town hall, let alone the fees for the performers.

A disco cost £285, but only brought in £15, a boot fair cost £57 and raised just £5, a children’s party cost £184.94 and raised nothing, while the programmes cost £450 and raised £6.

The total expenditure was £9,116.56, and the total income was £464.14.

“This carnival festival week was a total financial disaster,” said Mr Cook. “We have already held one committee meeting to discuss the situation, and another one is planned for this week.

“Then we will hold our annual general meeting.”