Carnival organisers searching for the next Miss Whitstable are allowing boys to enter the contest for the first time in its 121-year history - after no one turned up to their selection event.

Since 1897, girls have put themselves forward in the hope of being crowned the town’s new queen or one of her princesses.

But on Sunday the carnival committee was left disappointed when, after waiting for two hours in vain at Whitstable Castle, not a single contestant turned up to the selection of this year’s court.

Whitstable Carnival Association posted news of the no-show on Facebook, urging people to still support this year’s parade.

But it faced a flood of criticism from people branding the idea of a carnival court “archaic and sexist”.

Sonja Weed wrote: “Why can’t boys do this?? Surely it’s discriminatory to exclude them? Or am I mistaken? Why on earth must they be dressed like that and called ‘Princesses’? No wonder people feel the way they do. Why can’t they be ‘young Ambassadors’?”

Helen Chambers added: “If the carnival is actually about community outreach and not just about objectifying young women as princesses, it should ditch the princess vibe and be inclusive to all young people.”

Carol Simmons, the secretary of Whitstable Carnival Assocation, says the selection event will now be rescheduled and boys will be permitted to enter.

“It’s always just been girls in the past - we’ve never had boys before,” she said. “Mainly because boys might not want to sit on a float and wave at the people of Whitstable.

“We’re happy to accept boys as contestants too, if they wish to apply. They could be 'Whitstable Prince'. We need to have a meeting to talk about it, because we have nothing in place to deal with this.

“People have been saying the carnival court is old-fashioned. The problem is that lots of people think it’s a beauty contest, which it definitely is not.

“The court has to open fêtes, speak to mayors and give speeches. So they need to have confidence.

“Having a pretty face doesn’t necessarily mean you can speak to a group of people. We’re looking for people who are friendly, bright and bubbly with a nice personality.

“If boys are willing to do it, they will have to conform with our rules and regulations. We can’t have people running around all over the place and misbehaving. Not when they’re representing the town.”

Past winners of Miss Whitstable have jumped to the defence of the carnival court, including Sophie Goldsmith, who posted: “All the girls I know that have had the pleasure of representing Whitstable have turned into wonderful, successful people, and most of them attribute some of this to what they learned whilst in carnival.”

As well as leading the Whitstable event on Saturday, August 4, the court will support other carnivals across Kent and meet representatives from other towns.

“It’s not too late to support our carnival,” said Mrs Simmons, of Douglas Avenue. “We still hope to find a court. We’re also always looking for people to join the committee and to put themselves forward to take part in the parade, even if they just want to walk or join on a bike.”

Those interested in entering should call 01227 262925.