Kingston Council's chief executive has said the cancelled Kingston Carnival was "a victim of its own success" after the event was pulled over safety concerns.

The carnival, in its 15th year, was due to take place on Sunday, September 7.

A concert by headline act Neville Staple, formerly of The Specials, could still go ahead.

Council chief executive Bruce McDonald said in a statement: "We understand the disappointment that Kingston Carnival will not go ahead as originally planned.

"There were serious safety concerns about potential crowd numbers and public safety in the Ancient Market Place.

"In many ways Kingston Carnival is a victim of its own success.

"The event has grown in popularity, attracting more and more people into the town centre each year.

"The organisers of any public event have a duty to ensure the safety of everyone attending or using public space.

"The announcement of a high-profile headline act for the free event raised concerns about the potential numbers attending in the Market Place this year.

"In liaison with the police and other bodies the council has advised the organisers that the event cannot go ahead as planned.

"Everyone involved with Kingston Carnival has worked hard on developing an event management plan suitable for an event of this size.

"The groundwork already undertaken this year provides a good foundation for staging Kingston Carnival again in the future."