ORGANISERS have sunk the annual Pirates Day extravaganza at West Bay but hope to have lined up a new idea to boost tourism.

John May and Pauline Collard pulled the plug after support for the summer fun day tailed off.

Now John, who runs a website promoting West Bay, hopes to launch a radio station to run for 28 days over July and August but has appealed for financial backing.

Mr May said: “Pirates Day is no more.

“West Bay Websites has sponsored this event since 2009.

“Organised by just two people, each year we have relied on family and friends as the core of help on the day because others have sometimes let us down and without warning.

“Last year a record number of volunteers failed us, so we have decided to bow out.

“I have approached a number of local organisations to take the event over, but all believe it to be beyond their capabilities.

“A big thank you to those reliable core of local volunteers who raised many thousands of pounds for children’s charities.”

He added: “I am researching running a local radio station during the events season, operating for a 28-day period from the RNLI Raft Race to the Bridport Carnival.

“This is a very ambitious project, costing £5,000 in licence fees alone. All profits to go to charity, including Julia’s House.”

Mr May is looking for advertisers to support the project.

He added: “Back in the 1960s and 70s I was involved in the pirate radio scene.

“This time it’ll be legal.”

Email office@westbay.co.uk to help with the station.