ONE of the leading figures behind the rebirth of the Addiscombe Carnival after a 40-year absence has now decided to "take a back seat".

Derek Withers, secretary of Croydon Lions, organisers of the carnival, admits he needs to take it a bit easier in what he says is his "old age".

The 80-year-old says he is proud of what his team has achievedwhen the carnival was resurrected.

He said: "At my age I'm slowing down a little so I will be taking a back seat from now on.

"I want to shed a bit of the workload, but I will, of course, be attending the carnival next year when I'll doubtless be roped in to do several things."

Preparation for the carnival takes 11 months and involves securing the venue and entertainment, and liaising with the emergency services, transport operators and the council.