Dorchester Carnival has been cancelled due to a lack of a volunteers, organisers have said.

The June carnival, which has been a staple event in the county town's calendar for almost 60 years, will not go ahead in 2019 although there are plans to revive it for 2020.

Last year the carnival was revamped and renamed as Midsummer Madness but still featured the popular procession through the town. The free community event saw thousands flock to Dorchester to watch the parade and enjoy some live music.

The news comes just weeks after the announcement that Weymouth Carnival will not take place in August this year due to a lack of money and support.

Dorchester Round Table ran the Dorchester carnival for 40 years until it stepped down from the role in 2013. After that, teams of dedicated volunteers have put themselves forward to organise the carnival each year.

As reported in the Echo, Simon Stewart, Charminster resident and organiser of the popular Cheese and Chilli Festival, called on residents to step forward and "make a difference" by helping to organise a new event for the town in 2019. However, he said not enough people committed to the task.

Speaking to the Echo yesterday, Mr Stewart said: "It's been disappointing.

"There just aren't enough volunteers to put an event on...we haven't been able to get the commitment we need. We were up against it to start with knowing we only formed a group in January.

"With more time available for a 2020 event, we'll have more time to think about that than putting on what would be a half-hearted attempt at a smaller event this year."

Mr Stewart added that a new concept - Dorchester Festival - to incorporate the heritage around the town and areas such as Maumbury Rings has been agreed, and is urging volunteers to come forward as soon as possible to start planning next year's event.

Cllr David Taylor, Mayor of Dorchester called the cancellation "a very sad moment."

He said: "It's a tremendous event and last year's carnival was full of people. It's a great fundraiser for local communities and charities as well.

"To run the carnival is a huge commitment...it needs hard work and dedication.

"I look forward to celebrating once again a momentous occasion for Dorchester's people."

Anyone wanting to get involved with organising a festival in Dorchester for 2020 can contact Simon Stewart on 07776 255199 or email simonpstewart@icloud.com.

IN January, the local community in Weymouth reacted with shock as the news broke that Weymouth Carnival would not be taking place this year.

Organisers of the carnival announced they were pulling out of the event due to a lack of money and support, sparking uncertainty over its future and whether it was over for good.

The announcement came amid the news that the carnival committee, established in 2018 to organise and revamp last year's event, were headed towards a financial crisis. Traders had come forward to allege they were owed money from the August event.

However, new hope has been given after former organisers the Rotary Club of Weymouth revealed that it is looking to partner with Weymouth BID to bring the event back in 2020.

It means however the town will be without a carnival this year – the first time if has been missed in modern times.

In a statement to the Echo, the club said: "Rotary has previous experience of this and has successfully organised three previous carnivals with great success.

"Clearly it is a huge job and there just is not the time to be able to get a credible event for this year and the financial obligations are equally huge, particularly when considering such features as the Red Arrows.

"So we are looking to partner with the Weymouth BID, for funding support to ensure that the carnival both survives and prospers."