PEMBROKE Dock’s 2018 Quins Carnival promises to avoid the “utter embarrassment” of the 2017 event, thanks to the support of the town council.

The August 5 event saw just one float, the Llanion Warriors, and limited attractions at the London Road sports ground.

Taking place on the same day, the annual collection of classic and vintage cars on display at the Dockyard Chapel proved a bigger hit.

Speaking about the carnival at the time, parade organiser Cllr Peter Kraus said: “It was an utter embarrassment, it’s so hard; the vintage and classic car show was absolutely brilliant but all we had on the carnival was one float.

“If it wasn’t for the Llanion Warriors we would’ve just had cars; and there were only three fair rides, and two stalls and a burger van at the Quins.”

As last year, there has sadly been a decline in the number of floats, from 2015’s 11, down to three in 2016, which Cllr Kraus put down to difficulties in getting hold of suitable vehicles.

At last Thursday’s meeting of the town council, interim mayor Cllr Gordon Goff, who has replaced Mayor Jane McNaughton following her resignation, said: “The carnival this year was a bit of damp squib; no fault of the Quins.”

He suggested that funds be used to support the annual carnival, rather than hold a summer festival in the town.

“Let’s have ourselves a bigger and better carnival; let’s bring back the carnival town.”

Councillor Brian Hall, who supported the proposal, said the £5,000 potentially available in the pot was “10 times more than the Quins have asked for.”

It is hoped previous summer festival events will be incorporated in to a carnival week.

Cllr Kraus outlined the difficulties faced by the 2017 carnival procession, with no police involvement on the route, and motorcycle charity group The Three Amigos, who had offered to help, being unavailable on the day.

He also told members issues with available float lorries were now being addressed.

“This year we’ll start the organisation in January, not August,” he added.

Members agreed to liaise with the Quins carnival committee.