Plans for a more spectacular lantern parade than ever before are under way – but the organiser feels the rigmarole that comes with staging a community event could put people off.

Chris Reed, of Big Fish Arts, has been running the popular Sheerness festival for 10 years and is in the process of planning this year’s, which will be on Saturday, December 1.

But after a clash with Swale council about how much hassle it is to organise, she has hit out, saying people will stop bothering.

Mrs Reed, of Marine Parade, Sheerness, was frustrated after being told paperwork she had submitted was on outdated forms and new ones would have to be completed.

She has also come up against trouble with her road closure plan – which she said is unnecessary anyway as it would be much simpler to have a rolling road block, which they have had in the past thanks to the Event Marshalling Unit Sheppey (EMUS).

But Mrs Reed received a lengthy response from the council which picked holes in the plan she had put together.

“The thing that really gets me is the people at the council don’t help you,” she added.

“Not just me – I’m talking about all the groups that do their very best to put things on in Sheppey and Swale.

“Surely there should be somebody who actually helps rather than just saying what is and isn’t right.

“Last year we couldn’t have it going through the town centre so the shops didn’t get the benefits.

“They need to make it easier – they really need to have somebody to assist community groups – or people will stop bothering to organise events.”

A spokesman for Swale council said the information asked for is collected on behalf of several organisations.

“Event applications are there to help organisations work with public bodies to ensure the health and safety of local residents and any visitors.

“Every event comes with risk and the administration is in place to ensure a safe and successful event.

“The process is a flow of information until all parties are satisfied that the relevant information or evidence is provided.

“If organisers give themselves plenty of time for the administration and paperwork then there is no reason why the process shouldn’t be concluded to the satisfaction of all involved parties.”

Despite the problems, Mrs Reed, said she had a grander plan for this year’s parade.

She is hoping to make it one of the first events to be funded by some of the £10,000 which was made available last week through the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The Sheerness Town Team has also put in a bid for a share of £45,000 through the council’s High Street Innovation Fund.

Mrs Reed said: “There should be more money this year and more help as the Town Team has representatives from retailers and other community groups, rather than it just being Big Fish.

“It will be very much a real Sheerness Town Centre event.”

Lanterns will be based around town landmarks such as the clock tower.

• Businesses can sponsor lanterns. Contact Mrs Reed on 07775712306.