FOUR carnivalgoers who ‘blacked up’ to look like a Jamaican bobsleigh team at Aberaeron Town Carnival last August Bank Holiday will not face racism charges following a six-month police investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police.

The four men covered themselves in black bodypaint and Lycra bodysuits and manned a wooden bobsleigh carried by a JCB in a parody of the cult comedy film Cool Runnings.

But their appearance and cavorting to a parody song triggered controversy and a police probe after complaints of racism and the group later made an online apology to the Jamaican bobsled team.

The issue was raised by Lampeter town council Dinah Cllr Mulholland – Welsh Labour’s Ceredigion candidate at last June’s General Election – who subsequently welcomed the news that the men behind the float acknowledged that they had caused offence. 

“The raising of the matter began with a comment I made on social media, and an overwhelming response developed from there,” she said at the time.

“Despite the many negative comments received on my Facebook page I have also received many messages of support from residents who are grateful that I took a stand against the use of ‘blackface’ and that a debate has now been opened.”

Dyfed-Powys Police said this week they had taken witness statements and questioned carnival revellers before eventually deciding there was no case to answer.

See this week’s South Ceredigion paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now