A popular community group might not be closing down after all – but not everyone is entirely happy about it.

The Sheppey Event Marshalling Unit (EMUs) has been helping control crowds at various events for decades.

Last week it was reported members were calling it a day due to a fall in donations and the number of volunteers joining.

But following a meeting on Thursday night, top Emu Alex Frost said the high-vizzed band of Islanders would keep going.

Founded nearly 40 years ago by the late David O'Neill, it was taken over by his daughter Tracey when he died in 2021.

The 36-year-old told KentOnline she was disbanding the group because it faced so many difficulties.

However, Mr Frost says there has been ongoing discussions about the future and existing members had agreed to keep going.

He said: "An extraordinary general meeting was called in January where Tracey was invited, but declined.

"Members present agreed we would continue and so the membership requested an AGM afterwards where one member of the public attended."

A new committee has reportedly been appointed with Mr Frost chairperson and Ashley Ewart vice-chairman – the two of them will also be event co-ordinators.

Tracey Pullen will be secretary, Dawn Frost treasurer, with the remainder of the members forming the overall committee.

The 56-year-old said: "We discussed registration at our meeting on Thursday and will be holding back on that for the time being.

"We are keeping the Sheppey EMUs' name as it's who we are and who we are known as.

"While Tracey was elected chair by the members previously, the position was never a family right, and for a number of years David and I held the chair and vice-chairman positions and vice versa."

However, Miss O'Neill, of Kent Avenue, Minster, says she is now surprised by the group's re-emergence – insisting she would like it to alter its name out of respect to her late dad.

She explained: "My family and I always wanted a new group to help the people of Sheppey – we just think it is disrespectful they haven't changed the name."

She says she didn't attend the January meeting due to personal reasons and added: "My dad always said he wanted it to be family-led, and that's why I was the heir to the group after he passed and my nephew James was the second heir, so that's why this is all so surprising to me.

"My understanding is the constitution of the Sheppey EMUs said if anything were to happen to my dad, decisions would be made by myself and that's why I announced it was being shut down.

"Of course there are no original members left, but my belief is they are still not allowed to do this.

"But if they do, then I wish them all the best and only ask the Sheppey EMUs title is removed."

Mr Frost was adamant the EMU name would remain.