A GIRL collecting money at Sittingbourne Carnival at the weekend was badly injured when her foot was run over by a float trailer.

The 11-year-old girl, from Sittingbourne, a member of Milton Swimming Club, was beside the trailer when the incident happened in the high street at its junction with Central Avenue.

Her float was near the front of the procession which was brought to a halt for about an hour while paramedics dealt with her at the scene.

She was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham and was expected to be released later this week. Club members were too shocked to talk about what happened to the girl whose identity has not been released.

Eye-witness Alan Willicombe, a Swale borough councillor, said: "She was walking slightly to the rear of the yellow and black trailer which was being pulled by a blue tractor. She stumbled and fell into the wheel of the trailer which was protruding outwards. I banged on the tractor’s door and the driver immediately stopped.

"I think people collecting money should stand further away from moving trailers because it is potentially very dangerous."