UNLESS there is more public support the annual carnival procession in Marlborough could disappear.

The traditional parade will be missing from the carnival activities this year because of a lack of manpower to organise it, the carnival committee has agreed.

Unless there is a much greater show of support for the town having a carnival then the event could fold altogether.

As a last ditch attempt to keep the event alive the committee agreed to hold some activities this year but not a procession.

Ideas put forward include a Battle of the Bands that the Azuza club in the High Street will be promoting, an antiques valuation show, boot sale and children's pet show.

The carnival committee had hoped that publicity would attract new members to its meeting in the Crown Hotel on Thursday. However, it was largely the same old faces that went along.

Members agreed that apathy towards the event was to blame for its downfall; apathy towards supporting the organising committee and apathy in building floats.

The 2004 procession saw one of the smallest turn-outs in the 35 years since the carnival was revived.

New committee member Steve Pascall was elected as caretaker chairman.

"I think we have reached a no-holds barred situation, the town has to make a choice of whether it wants a carnival or not," he said.

"If support does not improve substantially then there will be little point in going on trying to organise a carnival."

Mr Pascall said carnival had become one of the town's great traditions but there was little support for the event continuing in its present form.

He said: "I wonder of the town has outgrown its carnival and has become jaded with it and wants something new.

"If that is the case it would be nice if people would come along to our meetings or at least write to the Gazette so that we know their views.

"We have a very determined if small committee but there is a limit to the amount of organising a handful of people can do."