THURROCK Council has confirmed it took down a banner advertising this weekend's Stanford and Corringham Carnival after it was fixed to railings in Stanford town centre.

In a move that echoed public disquiet in 2018 when the council removed a number of banners advertising that year's carnival, the council says it has acted because the banner was put up without permission.

After the previous removals, and following a public outcry against the council, it appeared that the nod had been given for the carnival organisers to put banners up as long as it was only for a short while in advance of the carnival and they were removed straight after.

However, the council says that is not the case and today (Thursday, 25 August) issued the following statement to Thurrock Nub News: "Thurrock Council has removed one advertising banner from Kings Parade, Stanford-le-Hope, which had been put up without permission.

"It is illegal to put advertising banners on the highway or council owned property without consent, the council treats all breaches in relation to the illegal use of posters, banners and other signage the same and will always take relevant enforcement action and remove posters and banners."

Carnival organiser Cherie Sergeant acknowledges putting the banner up was tempting fate and was partially done as a protest. She said: "Thurrock Cycle Marathon had them all over a few weeks ago, looks like one rule for one, another rule for us."

Meanwhile plans for the carnival, which takes place on Saturday (27 August) are moving ahead at pace.

As well as the carnival procession, the day features a family fun day and classic car show on the Mobil Field on Billet Lane which will feature stalls, inflatables and entertainment from 12 noon to 5pm.

The carnival, which has been hugely supported by many local businesses who have advertised in the programme for the event, will feature a procession of carnival courts from around the area and other floats and it will wend its way through Corringham and Stanford-le-Hope on a route during which time collections will be taken for the two supported charities, Little Havens Children's Hospice and the borough's Community First Responders.

The procession will assemble for judging of a number of categories on the Gifford Cross Open Space on Park Road and it will leave the site at 1.30pm. It is expected to take about two hours to complete the route.

It will follow a familiar trail from Springhouse Road to St Johns Way, then doubling back and going into Gordon Road and then Springhouse Road again, crossing Southend Road and moving down Third Avene, Branksome Avenue and First Avenue before a ten minute break at Dunstable Road. From there it's along Southend Road, the High Street, Church Hill, Corringham Road, Rainbow Lane and to the Mobile Field.

The local carnival court queen and princesses will be in dresses sponsored by Wharf Timber. Other businesses that have supported the carnival include Corringham DIY, Cranberries Gift Shop, RG Cole, Corringham Test Centre, Goldsmith Webb Opticians, Full of Beanz coffee shop, The Original Bodyworks Tattoo Studio, Stranndz Hair and Beauty, Belson & Sons opticians, The Springhouse Club, Fobbing Farm Shop and Tea Room, Daybreak Windows, E&B Pets, Corringham Tyres, Mobile Mobility, Little Legs Buses, Howgates estate agents, L.E Brand Funeral Directors, Connollys Estate Agents, Creative Photography, Fairlight Vehicles, Griffin Estate Agents, The Crooked Billet, Clarke Preservation, Steve Smedley Carpets, Town Barbers, Direct Bed 2U, Tots World, Willow Farm Car Boot Sale, Sadlers Farm Boot Sale, Aysgarth Print Services, Benems Carpets, Flooring and Fireplaces and Beechcroft Vehicle Services.