A SENIOR councillor has defended the success of the town’s annual carnival this year after it came under fire from a prominent businessman on social media.

Critics of Southend Carnival, which took place Saturday, questioned the chairman’s estimation that “between 20,000 and 25,000 people” had attended the event.

Philip Miller, owner of Adventure Island and the Sealife Centre, wasn’t convinced.

The business owner took to Twitter to criticise the event - and said attendance was “more like two and a half thousand... at best”.

He added: “Interestingly, most folks along Marine Parade were normal Saturday night customers who stopped to watch.

“Our surveys show only 15 per cent knew the carnival was on. I walked past the Sealife and the crowds were sparse.

“Time to reboot - fresh ideas needed.”

Resident Daryl Peagram, 47, of Larke Rise, Southend, also questioned the figure, which was reported in yesterday’s Echo after reporters spoke to chairman Garry Lowen.

He said: “It’s a mystery of 25,000 for Southend Carnival crowd as locals say it was only one-deep.”

But Southend Council’s deputy leader James Courtenay disputed the claim it was poorly attended.

He voiced his disagreement on Twitter calling Philip Miller’s estimation of 2,500 as a “load of rubbish”.

He added: “I went along the entire route and saw thousands of people.

“It was several deep on both sides all the way from Lifstan Way to City Beach.

“Along City Beach, there were people at the roadside and nearer the beach.

“It was only one or two people deep after the pier and along to Genting Casino.”

Speaking with the Echo yesterday, Mr Courtenay said the low estimation was “just wrong”.

The councillor responsible for growth added: “There seems to be some seafront traders who just want to knock an event that was happening.

“I am no expert at counting, but City Beach was heaving - crowds were at least three or four deep.

“I have pictures of crowds on my phone.

“People were standing on the sea walls and crowds went up Pier Hill trying to see the parade.

“It would be lacking to suggest it was the most successful ever, but there was significant attendance there.”