A FAMILY car was used to carry the two princesses at this year's Redbridge Carnival after one of the horses meant to pull their open top carriage was killed during a practice run.

The animal died after being hit by a car in Ilford town centre last Tuesday as it was being led around the route of the parade.

It is thought to have been frightened when a nearby motorbike revved its engine and ran forward into the path of the vehicle.

The carriage's driver was also seriously injured during the accident and remains in hospital.

The accident left the two 16 year-old princesses, Katie Woolnoth and Jessica Baker, fearing that they would miss out on their dream day.

But the pair - both from Woodford Green - were thrilled when their dance school, The Alexandra School of Performing Arts, stepped in to save the day by providing an open top car for them to ride in.

Katie, of Forest Approach, thanked the group's leader, Alexandra Hughes, for lending her yellow Renault Megane for the event.

She said: "We were really sad when we heard about the horse and thought we might not be able to join the parade.

"We were so relieved when a car was organised instead. We both had a great day."

These views were backed by carnival organiser Wilson Chowdhry - whose five year-old daughter Hannah also rode in the car.

He said: "I can't thank the dance group enough for coming in and providing a car for the princesses. To say they saved the day is an understatement.

"We rely on the generosity and support of our participants to get us through, and the Alexandra School of Performing Arts did us proud."

Ms Hughes, of Broadmead Road, Woodford Green, said she was only too happy to help out when she found out about the accident.

She said: "The girls were desperate to take part, and there's no way they could walk the route in their outfits.

"So we decorated my husbands car and lent that instead."

Mr Chowdhry said he was disappointed not have received adequate financial support from Redbridge Council for the parade - which went ahead without any floats for the first time this year.

He said: "The company which usually supplies the floats was unable to do it again this year and we had no money to hire any.

"The council gave us £1,000, but this was far less than the costs involved. I would have thought they'd have offered us more support to be honest."

A council spokeswoman said: “The council does not have a central budget for grant aiding community events and can not subsidise all community events and programming.

"We support and value the hard work of the organisers of all of these events and recognise the contribution that they make to the community.”