Organisers have expressed their disappointment after sexual dancing by children rained on this year's Santa Parade.

MarketPlace Ltd. is to ban the dancing troupe responsible for turning crowds of families away from Sunday night's event, after a storm of controversy.

A spokesman for the company said staff were "very upset" by the performances, which have resulted in a public outcry.

"They have damaged the reputation of the parade as a whole, which isn't fair to everyone who worked so hard to make it happen," he said.

Yesterday The Royal Gazette received dozens of phone calls and e-mails from members of the public, expressing their shock at the content of the parade.

It follows Attorney General Kim Wilson's comments to the Senate on Monday on the "inappropriateness" of the dancing.

Sen. Wilson attended the annual Santa Parade with her husband and two children, aged five and eight, but said they were forced to leave early.

"The type of dancing by one of the majorette troupes was totally inappropriate the gyrating and simulation of sexual advances," she told the Senate.

"Also the types of songs, they were violent. One said, 'hit and punch' and the girls were simulating hitting and kicking and punching."

Sen. Wilson said: "I'm just absolutely shocked and I am disappointed that some parents see this as acceptable."

Last night she told this newspaper: "I reiterate my concern that the blatantly sexual undertones exhibited by many of the dance troupes was a bold and offensive contradiction to our efforts as parents to promote and strengthen family values so that the moral foundation of our community is uplifted and not debased by unnecessary displays of sexuality such as that witnessed on Sunday night.

"Parents need to remember that what we expose our children to will greatly shape our children's lives and behaviour. I really hope and pray parents will sit up and pay attention."

Political commentator Christian Dunleavy said: "I applaud Sen. Wilson's speaking out about some of the content of the Christmas parade. Unfortunately it wasn't just one dance troupe, it was a lot.

"Relatively few floats were actually playing holiday music, many contained offensive and violent lyrics as Sen. Wilson commented.

"Too many of the dance groups were little more than displays of highly sexualised young girls. PHC (Pembroke Hamilton Club) and Warwick United Majorettes were two notable exceptions who did themselves proud, but the faces in the crowd said it all.

"People couldn't believe what they were seeing and many people left early."

Mr. Dunleavy said: "I would recommend that next year's parade entries be screened for content, music and dress. What was supposed to be a family event to celebrate the holidays has unfortunately morphed into an 'R' rated music video.

"It's small wonder that we're facing serious issues with some of our young people when the Santa Claus parade is a rolling gangsta rap video."

The spokesman for MarketPlace Ltd., which organises the annual parade, told The Royal Gazette: "We are very upset about it because it has brought the whole parade down a notch.

"We are very disappointed as we worked very, very hard to make this a great parade.

"We gather there was lewd, suggestive dancing and people actually left the parade early as they didn't want their children to see that.

"I understand it was one of the dance groups but someone else has said it was one of the majorette groups.

"It's amazing that everyone wants to complain but no one wants to name them. We haven't been able to identify the group so far, so if anyone can help please let us know."

He explained that staff were at the rear of the parade with the MarketPlace floats and so it was hard to "police" the other participants.

Up to 35 floats, bands and groups took part in this year's parade, 11 of whom were majorette and dancing groups.

"We explain to them this parade has a Christmas theme, but once they get out there it's hard to control them. We have to rely on these groups to behave responsibly," said the spokesman.

"We try not to block anyone from taking part as we want as wide a representation of the community as possible, but who would have thought that was appropriate behaviour for a children's Christmas parade?

"We will take appropriate action against whatever group this was. Next year we will not invite them to participate.

"We can just try and make sure it doesn't happen again."

Meanwhile, people contacted this newspaper to say the majorette dancers were not to blame for the "inappropriate" dancing.

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