Scaled down St George’s Day celebrations will once again be held in Wolverhampton this year – as it emerged organisers had been given a budget of just £5,000 to host the festivities.

Last year organisers were given the same amount to run “extremely low key” celebrations. However the amount has attracted anger.

Bosses behind the festivities, which will be based around the city’s £300,000 fountain in Queen Square, said a singer, organist and brass band had been lined up to perform over two days.

But a senior councillor today criticised the amount being ploughed into the celebrations, claiming it was “impossible” to stage top class festivities on such a low budget.

Councillor Malcolm Gwinnett, who helps to organise a number of the city’s outdoor events, said: “There is really nothing much you can do with that sort of money, especially as the celebrations are split over two days.

“It is just nowhere near enough money to put on the kind of celebrations people would expect in a city centre.

“Furthermore I don’t think the St George’s Day events should be held in the centre at all and should instead be staged in one of the parks.

“I am sure the outdoor events team will do everything they can with the money they have been given but it is just not enough.”

John Penney, spokesman for the outdoor events team, said musical street entertainment had been lined up for the two-day event to celebrate England’s national day on April 23 and 24.

Free sausage baps will also be handed out and actors dressed as dragons will also feature.

News that this year’s St George’s budget had not been increased comes after it emerged Sandwell’s St George’s Day Parade is facing the axe again unless more than £8,000 can be raised in eight weeks.

Organisers have launched an appeal to reach the £10,000 target needed.