ORGANISERS of Chepstow carnival were forced to move a banner advertising the event following an insurance wrangle.

The banner is normally put on display in the town centre, but to do so again this year organisers would have increase insurance cover to £5m - meaning a rise in the premium to £550 "it falls down and a child hangs themselves on the ropes".

Now organisers have had to move the banner from the town centre to the Severn Bridge Social Club, Bulwark, where the additional insurance cover is not needed.

They have been forced to hang their advertisment in Bulwark due to a steep rise in insurance costs in the town centre.

Brian Prout, carnival secretary, said: "We cannot afford these huge premiums. Our insurance cover has risen from £2 million to £5 million. It would cost us £550 to hang the banner in the town centre for two weeks and be insured for five hours for the carnival."

Mr Prout said a £250 council grant was used to provide insurance cover for the carnival.

"But then I found out I needed another £250 to insure the banner in the town centre in case anyone tripped over it or a child hanged themselves on the ropes," he said.

"We need more financial support and we are still looking for more volunteers to help us."

People are still being sought to join in the fun of the carnival parade: "We are looking for people, clubs and groups to join us in the carnival parade - it's not too late to join in the fun," added Mr Prout.

Contact him on 01291 420015.