Carnival participants yesterday slammed the Culture Ministry and Malta Industrial Parks for consistently ignoring their storage problem and dragging their feet.

Carnival float builders using large stores in Luqa risk having nowhere to work once Lent begins because they have been instructed by the MIP to vacate the premises when carnival is over.

MIP has said it offered to incorporate the warehouses at the Ta' Qali crafts village but the association representing float builders refused.

However, Jason Busuttil, spokesman for the Għaqda Parteċipanti Karnival ta' Malta, said the site was inadequate because it would have had to be demolished. In addition it was too distant from Valletta, where the celebrations were held.

"It would be impossible to take the floats from Ta' Qali to Valletta. We are seeking a place between Valletta and Marsa," he said.

He insisted that the former Soldini factory at Marsa, which, he said, had been vacant for 10 years, was ideal for the purpose.

"It is the only government-owned property between Valletta and Marsa that will meet our purposes," he said.

In reply, the MIP said that industrial property, such as the former Soldini factory, could only be allocated for industrial projects as detailed in the Business Promotion Act. Moreover, the location and size of the factory made it a prime strategic site that was being reserved for potential high value added investments.

Mr Busuttil said the failure to resolve this long-running issue was creating serious doubts about the participation of float builders in next year's carnival.

The Għaqda Parteċipanti Karnival ta' Malta expressed regret that Culture Minister Dolores Cristina was not giving importance to the matter, which, it said, could threaten the future of the 500-year-old carnival.

The association said that when the enthusiasts were told to leave lower Fort St Elmo, in Valletta, they were promised alternative accommodation but this had not been forthcoming.