Brightlingsea’s carnival committee has been left “very deflated” after stewards were subject to “vile language and inimidating behaviour” from drivers whose way home was temporarily blocked by the carnival procession.

Several instances of abuse led to two committee members resigning and marred an otherwise successful carnival, which attracted large crowds to see the procession around the town and to watch events on the Bayard recreation ground.

As in previous years, temporary road closures of up to 30 minutes – operated by volunteer stewards – were in place at junctions to protect participants in the procession as it moved around the town.

Carnival organiser Tracey Barton said: “We very much appreciate it’s a pain and it doesn’t help when there are road works [Lower Park Road is currently closed at the Station Road junction] as well.”

“One man was going home no matter what and totally ignored the marshals’ requests using vile language and intimidating behaviour towards them. He ignored two female committee members and carried on past them to his home.”

Brightlingsea’s Carnival Queen Sophie Sutton Bryson, 17 with her court: Deputy Queen Erin Olley, 12; Princesses Scarlett Baker Hill,10, Nancy Simpson, 9, Stevie Hambelton-Smith, 8, Anastasiia Dubovyk, 7 and flower girlAlana Stevens, 5

Of a second incident, Mrs Barton said a man “told the committee it wasn’t a legal binding licence and even if we had a road closure in place we couldn’t do anything to enforce it so he was going to do what he liked”.

“Two of my most valued committee members have now stood down due to the abuse they took and it has caused the committee to feel very deflated.”

However, Mrs Barton added: “Thank goodness we only have a very few people like them in our town. Luckily most of the town’s lovely people are not like it and embrace the day as one of Brightlingsea’s great traditions.”

The 2027 carnival, which will take place on June 19, be the town’s 75th.