Ilminster Carnival at risk as volunteers are needed

Somerset carnivals attract hundreds of thousands of visitors

A Somerset carnival may end for good unless volunteers can be found to help organise it.

Ilminster Carnival committee has issued a "last ditch" call for volunteers. It needs a chairperson, secretary and treasurer by 15 March.

The children's carnival is also at risk of ending.

A spokesperson said: "Without more help, the carnival is finished. My one question is simple: Do the people of Ilminster want carnival anymore?"

Somerset's carnivals have been going for hundreds of years and involve large illuminated processions in various locations including Bridgwater, Glastonbury Festival, Taunton, Weston-Super-Mare and Yeovil.

The carnival carts are designed and built by dedicated carnival clubs, which raise money throughout the year for local charities.

Ilminster Carnival is part of the South Somerset Federation of Carnivals circuit, and usually takes place in October.

Bridgwater carnival regularly attracts crowds of 150,000 people.