The event, which is an annual fixture of the Fylde summer season, will not take place this year because work to dig up the park as part of a £2m revamp of the park has begun.

Work to improve play areas, drainage and paving, new trees and flower bed displays will take roughly ten months to complete and will transform the facilities for the local community.

But this has made the area unsafe for the usual carnival activities and means that the whole event will have to be called-off.

Carnival Committee Chairman Angela Jacques said: "Lengthy discussion took place regarding whether it would be feasible to hold the morning procession without the afternoon entertainment.

"Unfortunately without the income generated from the Gardens it makes it difficult to fund a procession due to the cost of bands and barriers.

"We thought it would be wiser to cancel the whole event this year at the outset rather than risk having to cancel at the last moment when everyone has spent time and money preparing their floats and stalls and disappointing children who worked very hard preparing entertainment for us."

The present carnival queen Jennifer Moore has agreed to and carry on as queen for another year and in the meantime will hold a series of events to raise money for her charity, Brian House Children's Hospice.

Queen Elect Lauren Dorset has agreed to delay her big day until next year.

Despite the setback, carnival organisers have promised to be back with a bang in 2010.

Mrs Jacques added: "We are naturally disappointed that we will not have the parade but the event is one day a year and I am sure the community will understand that we have to sacrifice this event for what will be a beautiful venue in 2010 and many years to come."