Charities at the Lord Mayor's Parade say they lost out on vital funds because the event was so poorly attended.

The colourful celebration marks the start of new Lord Mayor Bob Price's one-year term of office. It usually follows a procession of floats made by local clubs and charities through the city centre, ending up with fundraising stalls and entertainment in South Park.

This year Oxford City Council took over full responsibility for the annual parade from Oxford Isis Lions Club, changing the venue to Oxpens and the date from Bank Holiday Monday to May 29.

Charity group the Lions Club still organised the fundraising side of the event, held at Oxpens, but it is the first year the parade was run solely by the council.

Other charities and organisations involved included Oxfam, the PDSA, Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, Blackbird Leys Playgroup, Angel Mead explorer Scout Group, 48th Oxford Scout Group and Falun Gong Chinese Group.

Kathy Jones, of the animal sanctuary, said: "It was very disappointing. When we have been before we made a nice bit of money at South Park but there was just not the crowds.

"We were lucky as we made £51 for the sanctuary but that is peanuts compared with the £100 or more we usually make. A lot of people didn't make the money to pay for the tables."

She said it was the worst Lord Mayor's Parade she had ever attended.

Mr Price said: "Everything went well, but it would have been better if there were more people."

He said he would have preferred the event to be staged on its usual date and venue, and would be raising the issue.

Council spokesman Louisa Dean said: "The date and route was chosen in accordance with guidance from the emergency services with regard to traffic flow, volume of expected traffic and health and safety consid- erations."

Other people have contacted the Oxford Mail with their concerns about the loss to charities and the reputation of the event.

Jon Parry, of Cowley Road, Oxford, said the parade was embarrassing, particularly since visitors from Oxford's German twin town Bonn were taking part.

Lions' treasurer Peter Carter said: "It was not worth the effort and was not a fun event at all. We did our part and worked hard on it. We were so disappointed with it. It is soul destroying.

"We have got to hope for better next year."

Kevin Stevens, a driver for the tour company City Sightseeing, one of whose buses led the parade, said the event had been going downhill for years.

Mr Stevens, of Cutteslowe, Oxford, said: "I have seen better village fete parades. If this is the best we can manage now then I would suggest we cancel the event in future."