Gala goes with abang '“now don't let it die...

Chloe was among the 21 dancers, mostly aged between three and 18, from the Regis Troopers who took part in Sunday night's parade.

She has been with the group, ever-present in the annual procession for years, since she was three.

"I love the attention of dancing for people watching the parade," she said. "It's where we can prove to the people who live here we have got something to give to Bognor.

"This event allows us to show people what we can do.

"It's fun and I enjoy everything about being in the gala.

"People think we are like cheerleaders and have a stereotypical view of what we are like. It's nice to show them it's not about winning competitions."

She and the other dancers were dressed in keeping with an Aladdin theme with glowsticks. They practise twice a week in two-hour sessions.

The troupe's leader, Angie Sapsford, said the possible loss of the gala after the carnival ended three years ago, would be a terrible blow to Bognor's community spirit.

"What is Bognor going to do?" she asked. "There would be no processions for the girls to do in their home town.

"We are already having to travel to places in Dorset to take part in parades. But they love doing ones in their home town."

Her sadness at the threat to the gala was echoed by Trevor Hall, the assistant cub scout leader at 1st Aldwick and Pagham Sea Scouts.

For the night, he was in charge of about 20 Pirates of the Caribbean, complete with a small illuminated boat.

"I am disgusted this could be the last gala," he fumed, "because I think the businesses in Bognor should get behind an event like this.

"It will be a shame if we lose this because we lost the carnival as well. This is a very sad day for Bognor because this is a seaside resort and this is the sort of event that happens in seaside resorts in the summer.

"There are enough groups around the town to support this night but I think it comes down to the amount of red tape needed to stage it each time. "

Spectators who lined the route in front of Marine Park Gardens also spoke of their sadness that they could be watching the final illuminations gala.

Martin Smith (56), from North Bersted, was there with his wife and two grandchildren, aged four and eight. He has been going to the gala since he moved into the area eight years ago.

He said: "It's a great shame this could disappear because it's the last of the fun, family events that are few and far between in Bognor.

"It's a community occasion with a bit of pageantry which is good for the groups to take part in.

"There's some fireworks as well, which are always nice to see. The kids enjoy them and so do some of us adults."

Aldwick resident Jennifer Wright (36) was there with her two children, aged eight and ten, for the second year in a row.

She explained: "The children really enjoy the gala. It's nice to have it in the school holidays.

"They like seeing all the different colours and my daughter joined the Regis Troopers after seeing them here last year."