LAST month’s Purton Carnival could be the last unless more volunteers come forward to help stage it next year.

If enough people don’t join the committee at the annual meeting on Sunday the carnival could be over for good.

Former treasurer and one of the founder members, Mary Nettleton said the small committee that did most of the work of planning, running and clearing up after events had had enough.

“We run ourselves ragged and it is too much,” she told the Advertiser.

“If people do not come forward at this meeting on Sunday there will be no carnival in 2018.”

She said most of the committee members were exhausted and did not want to continue.

“The committee that does everything has really been too small for a few years. We need more people if it is to continue.”

They run a string of events including a teddy bear’s picnic, bingo sessions, quizzes, a fete and a procession in July as well as others later in the year like a visit by Santa and his elves just before Christmas.

A pig and turkey roast a couple of years ago proved popular and the carnival used to run sports competitions.

“We get some people who help with the marshalling for the procession, but the vast majority of the work has fallen on committee and on their partners,” said Mrs Nettleton.

Now the group is in desperate need of new blood to take over.

“It can be run in a completely different way to the way it has been run in the past if that’s what people want.”

She said: “To me, Purton would lose out enormously if there was no carnival because it is such a community event.”

The teddy bear’s picnic was a huge success with 42 children under five taking part. “It was amazing with them all romping around. Everyone was full of how good it was and what a wonderful event.”

The one gripe the committee usually encountered was people complaining that the procession was too small. It didn’t have as many entries as it used to in the past and that was partly to do with health and safety fears, it was also because people couldn’t be bothered to enter, she added.

Anyone will to step up and save the carnival is urged to go to the meeting at the Silver Threads Hall at 7.30pm on Sunday where they can talk to current committee members and find out more.

They can also call 01793 772298 for information.