Sheerness is to get its traditional carnival back along with a week-long Festival of the Sea.

In a remarkable U-turn, cars and trailers will be allowed to return for the parade after a fiery meeting - although big lorries will still be banned.

Volunteers at the Sheerness Town Team met Swale council on Tuesday last week and put forward a week of activities in August to be called the Festival of the Sea.

It could include a King and Queen of the Sea competition, folk day, food day, conservation day, children's day and a pirates and mermaids day.

It follows four years of controversy after the McCall family, which ran the Sheppey carnival for 17 years, threw in the towel after 2019 complaining of red-tape, lack of cash and apathy. They still, however, manage the Sheppey Carnival Queen court.

The newly-formed Sheerness Town Council took on the mantle but vowed the new procession would be pedestrian-only with no cars, trailers or trucks allowed. It's first year in 2020 had to be abandoned because of the first Covid-19 lockdowns.

A pedestrian-only parade took place last year but by then Leysdown, which still allows lorries, had taken the traditional Sheerness slot - the third Saturday in August - in the Kent carnival diary.

Phil Crowder who chairs the town team said: "A large event is needed to attract visitors to Sheppey and into our town so people can see how nice it is."

He is hoping to work closely with the town council and Swale council to pool resources.

Chris Reed, a town councillor and the force behind Big Fish Arts which organises the Sheerness lantern parade at Christmas, argued passionately for a 'green' parade with no cars.

Town team members struck a compromise vowing to "strive for the lowest carbon footprint in Kent" by encouraging floats to be towed by electric-powered vehicles.

Mr Crowder added: "We will restrict the length of a car and trailer to 40-feet and stipulate a maximum of four wheels on a trailer. But it would be great if Big Fish could create giant puppets to lead the parade like in other carnivals."

The town team hopes to launch a pilot festival this year beginning on Saturday, August 13, with daily themed events culminating with the carnival parade on Saturday August 20 to coincide with a funfair at Beachfields and free fireworks display on the seafront.

The date, however, clashes with Leysdown carnival.

Search for new queens

The search is on for Sheppey’s new carnival queen and princesses.

Despite the McCall family giving up running the Sheppey carnival in 2019 they still organise the carnival court which travels across Kent representing the Island. They are looking for girls aged five to 18 to apply.

Chairman Bob McCall said: “We are looking for fun, energetic, committed and confident young ladies to represent the Island throughout 2022.”

The selection will be on Saturday, March 19, at Sheerness East Working Men’s Club in Queenborough Road, Halfway.

The team comprises Miss Sheppey and two senior Sheppey princesses aged 13 to 18, a junior Miss Sheppey and two junior princesses aged seven to 12 and a Sheppey Rosebud aged five to six.

Candidates should arrive at noon for Rosebuds; 2.30pm for juniors and 7pm for seniors. There will be a photo-shoot for the winners on the Sunday. Entry is free. Spectators, welcome but there is a £4 charge. Entry forms are on Sheppey Court Facebook page or email Sheppeycourt@yahoo.com

* History of Sheppey carnival here