THE puppeteer behind Weymouth's long-running Punch and Judy show says he has less than five weeks to raise enough money to keep himself in business after losing £10,000 of income during the coronavirus pandemic - and he is now appealing to the public for help.

Mark Poulton, 48, began performing Punch and Judy at the age of 17 and has been entertaining crowds in Weymouth with his shows for 15 years. The job had became his dream after he watched the traditional puppet show on Weymouth beach when he was four-years-old.

He has been unable to work since the country went into lockdown and, as summer is his busiest season, has lost £10,000 of income.

He has now started a Crowdfunder to raise enough money for him to pay his bills over the winter until he can get back to performing.

Mark, from Paignton, said: "Coronavirus has taken all of my income for the year and I am unsure when I will be able to go back to work.

"I think many people in Weymouth can relate to me as I make most of my money in the weeks of school holidays so it has been tough being unable to work during my busiest time."

Mark hopes to raise £5,000 which will give him the chance to apply for match funding, where organisations can match the amount raised, to give him a £10,000 total. This would recoup his lost income from the summer.

Mark has five weeks to raise as much money as he can before his Crowdfunder expires on October 5. He will then decide whether or not he will be able to live off of the donations. He said if he has not raised enough he would be forced to find alternative work which he fears may signal the end of his puppeteering career.

He said: "During the winter I live hand to mouth anyway but I have no savings from the summer.

"If you have enjoyed the show in the past, in Weymouth or anywhere else, and you want future generations to get to see it and enjoy it then please donate. If you are unable to donate please share my plea on social media as the more people we reach the better.

He added: "I just want to be able to perform the show I love."

To donate to Mark's Crowdfunder, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-weymouths-punch-judy-show?fbclid=IwAR14aIhI91Rbx428QUpFWrlykMrndM8faSQu0MiqMFkLbDaU_1ZqcMn7dvQ