HOOLIGANS will not stop a popular Suffolk carnival going ahead next year, organisers have pledged.

HOOLIGANS will not stop a popular Suffolk carnival going ahead next year, organisers have pledged.

The three-day Aldeburgh carnival, which has a tradition dating back many decades, was a success this year and attracted thousands of residents and visitors who enjoyed a largely trouble-free experience.

However, the carnival's good name has become blighted by youngsters from neighbouring towns who come into Aldeburgh in August looking for a fight.

Aldeburgh town council was told this month that Suffolk police was worried that the atmosphere was clouded by an underlying motive that youngsters could cause trouble, and officers said the carnival's future needed to be discussed.

Judy Gowen, carnival secretary, said: “The carnival is a very safe and enjoyable event for people of all ages.

“The carnival is very well supported, it is a major tourist attraction and we do not want to fold under the weight of bureaucracy like other events.

“The problems occur after the carnival when youths are still there and still drinking.

“The carnival committee is more than willing to work with the police and the town council if we can help to address this, although we do not think they are directly attributable to the carnival.”