An organiser of a charity horse drive has spoken out following criticism of the fundraiser.

Around 100 carriages were involved in the tour around the Island on Saturday which departed from the car park in Shellness Road, Leysdown.

It raised about £1,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital. There was criticism on social media with some people calling for it not to be held next year.

The Times Guardian received a phone call from a Queenborough resident who said the horses took up the roads and caused “mayhem” for cars.

Henry Cooper Jr, who organised the event with Amos Beaney, said: “I think it went well within the limited conditions.

“I can’t understand what they are worried about, to tell you the truth, when you have events like the Island Run every year and no one says anything about it whatsoever. It can only come down to a race-related argument. What else can you put it down to?

“There’s no reason other than they are gypsies but people are scared of what they don’t know.”

Mr Cooper, who said he is from a traveller background, added people had come from all over the country, including Devon and Blackpool, to take part.

Participants were a “half and half mix” of people from traveller backgrounds and others while there were also a few riders of Indian and Pakistani heritage.

One resident said she saw horses being “raced” in Queenborough High Street but Mr Cooper said this was not the case and they were in fact flashing their horses which is a kind of display.

Mr Cooper, who lives in Eastchurch, added: “I have had a lot of positive comments from people ringing me up and saying it was absolutely great and they would love to see it every year.”

He praised the police for their marshalling of the event.