The new owners of the Westgate Pavilion have branded a horror-themed carnival float created by the tenants of the building "seriously irresponsible".

Young revellers at Margate carnival were left terrified at the weekend as actors from the Madhouse Maze dressed in ghoulish costumes and covered themselves in fake blood before joining the procession.

Some children were left in tears by the ‘scarers’, who typically frighten visitors to the spooky attraction in Sea Road, Westgate-on-Sea.

But the display has not only angered parents, but also the owners of the the Westgate Pavilion, from which the maze operates.

The building was bought from Thanet District Council in June by local community interest company the Westgate Pavilion Local Project Ltd.

Its chairman, Nicholas Martine, said today: “I can imagine how angry and upset parents of young children must have been, as the ‘actors’ walked between the crowds.

“As owners of the Westgate Pavilion, we consider this display seriously irresponsible and quite unacceptable, for a happy family event carnival, so loved by the kids.

“I and my fellow directors of The Westgate Pavilion Local Project Ltd extend our heartfelt sympathy and totally distance ourselves from the actions of the present tenant of the Westgate Pavilion.”

Organisers of the float said there had been no intention to scare children and precautions were taken to avoid such situations.