Mitcham's flagship community and cultural event lost its colourful parade last year - but now residents and community groups are calling for it to return.

Wimbledon Times:

Schools, bands, dance and youth groups once took to the streets to showcase Mitcham's diversity and arts offering, marking the start of the annual Carnival - which takes place every June.

But last year Merton police announced it would no longer be able to provide traffic management support and Merton Council chose not to pay extra for its own security.

Anne Boyd, a resident who used to enjoy the parade, wrote on Facebook: "It should return - Mitcham doesn't have much so let us have this."

Sandra Hall, also of Mitcham, wrote it was "disgusting" Mitcham couldn't have a parade when Wimbledon has numerous public events such as the Winter Wonderland and Wimbledon Village Fair.

Councillor Nick Draper, cabinet member for community and culture, put the loss of the parade down to police cuts and slashed government funding to schools and community groups.

He said: "It's sad. I really wish I could give you a better answer than that.

"When I was mayor back in 2010 there was at least two marching bands and there was a lot of enthusiasm for it ...But by the time Councillor Williams was mayor I then genuinely felt sorry for him because in that very short space of time it dwindled away to hardly anything."

It was previously the mayor of Merton's role to judge the best parade act.

Coun Draper said: "If you are hitting your head against a brick wall the one cure for it is to stop doing it. I hope one day for better times when the schools are better funded and these groups have got funding of their own."

The council would have to pay about £1,600 for a Road Traffic Order, as well as paying for officers to manage the operation on the day - a cost and administrative task which Coun Draper said was "simply not manageable".

But community groups are calling for the parade to return. Sandra Vogel, of the Mitcham Society, said she would like the council to at least consider a walking parade around Three King's Piece.

Ayesha Kpobie-Charles, head teacher of Mitcham dance school Dancemode, said: "It would be nice to see it come back because it was the lead up to the main event itself and quite a few groups try to showcase their talents.

"It's also nice as to walk as a community through the streets of Mitcham."

The last time Dancemode took part was in 2012, with about 30 dance students aged between five and 18.

She said it was not expensive because parents volunteered as chaperones and all they needed was a boom box.

She said the only reason they didn't take part in 2013 - the last year the parade took place - was because the council told them it was taking place on the day of the carnival.

Wimbledon Times:

The East Wimbledon & Wandle District Scout Band in a recent Mitcham Carnival parade

Merton Council said there was not an administrative error that year. 

Richard Thorpe, bandmaster of the East Wimbledon & Wandle District Scout Band, said: "We are very very disappointed it's not running.

"I think there should be a parade every year to promote the area of Mitcham. It helped us to promote scouting in Mitcham so I'm very disappointed it hasn't happened for two years."

He said the band takes part in parades in nearby New Addington and Carshalton, but said those parades are run by local rotary clubs.

Merton Police told the Wimbledon Guardian last year the council had been warned "some years ago" that extra traffic management support for the Carnival parade would be stopped - but said officers "continue to work closely with the organisers and the local authority to ensure a safe environment for Carnival goers to enjoy the event".

Would you like to see the parade return this year? Comment below, or email louisa.clarence@london.newsquest.co.uk.