WITH several members of its committee retiring a popular carnival procession has been cancelled.

Newton Abbot Carnival, the carnival that typically kicks off the Devon carnival circuit, will not take place this year.

It will be absent also from this year's Devon circuit, as the committee will not be entering a float into said competition.

Organisers have cited recent retirements and a series of other contributing factors as reason for the cancellation.

All is not lost however, as Organisers are hopeful the carnival will, in one form or another, return.

'It maybe the case that we will no longer hold a carnival procession as we know it in its previous existing format but obviously that’s something that can change depending on circumstances so never say never but honestly it’s doubtful' a spokesman for Newton Abbot Carnival said.

'We our hoping to form a working party going forward in this transitional year for us where we hope to still hold some events from our usual carnival week itinerary but these dates and events are yet to be confirmed' the spokesman added.

Absent from the calendar since 2019, it will be Chudleigh Carnival to kick of the 2023 carnival circuit in Devon, taking place on July 15.

'We wish all who our taking part in the South Devon Carnival Circuit all the very best for 2023' spokesman for Newton Abbot Carnival said.