When Dave Naghi becomes Maidstone's first American-born Mayor on May 19, we may have expected a little extra razzamatazz. Perhaps with ticker-tapes streaming down from high buildings onto the traditional procession: instead we are to get nothing.

Maidstone council has cancelled the civic parade which has been a tradition since Richard Heely became the town's first Mayor in 1548.

The parade is usually led by Sappers from the town's 36 Engineer Regiment, exercising their Freedom of the Borough, but often includes bands, ex-Service groups, cadets, the voluntary ambulance services, Rotary clubs and others.

Traditionally the newly robed Mayor takes the salute from a dais outside the Town Hall before joining on the procession in a horse drawn open-carriage with fellow councillors walking behind to All Saints Church in Mill Street for a service.

But Cllr Naghi has been told he will get known of that.

The explanation given by the council is that the 36 Engineer Regiment will not be available.

An Army spokesman said: "The Regiment is committed to an operational deployment to South Sudan taking the bulk of the soldiers away from Maidstone and therefore the unit will not have the man power available to parade.

"We are, however, hoping to participate in a home-coming parade on their return later in the year."

Cllr Naghi said he was "very disappointed."

He said he was not offered any alternative of a reduced parade.

But he said: "We can’t forget that HRH Prince Harry and Meghan’s Royal Wedding as well as the FA Cup final are taking place on that day too. I know that our communities will want to share in those events too."

A spokesperson for Maidstone council said: “This year’s mayor-making ceremony will be held at the Town Hall on Saturday 19 May. Historically, the occasion has been marked by a Civic and Freedom Parade in Maidstone; however, the 36 Engineer Regiment are away on tour in Sudan until next year and will not be able to attend. A homecoming parade in honour of the Regiment’s return is planned to take place in March of next year.”

Cllr Naghi said: "I am very much looking forward to starting my mayoral year in office and I am sure that the day itself will be very special for me.”

Former Mayor Mike Fitzgerald said he was dismayed at the cancellation.

He said: "The Civic Parade has been heavily promoted over the last few years and moved to a Saturday to attract even greater numbers, so why disappoint the crowds of people who turn out just because the 36 Regiment is unavailable.

"This has happened in the past but was never seen as a reason to cancel the parade.

"Maidstone council has squandered a golden opportunity to bring the community together at a time of austerity, tough retail trading conditions and charities struggling to find core funding.

"It is a missed opportunity to involve and value all our diverse cultures, youth groups, schools and local organisations together expressing solidarity and support to celebrate what Maidstone has to offer.

"It's also just very unfair for the new Mayor, Cllr Naghi."