ORGANISERS behind Weymouth Carnival will be staging a second recruitment drive for sponsors and volunteers - as they revealed they now have the backing of eight businesses for the event.

The carnival was last staged back in 2018, before its former steering group ceased trading due to a lack of money and volunteers.

A new organising group was set up to revive the carnival for 2021 and formed a community interest company in January with the aim of becoming more self sufficient

Organisers have approached hundreds of organisations for help and said eight had now signed up as sponsors - however they will need to find more to cover the expected £80,000 cost of the event.

They will now be staging an information day tomorrow (September 5) from 10am to 5pm next to the Jubilee Clock on Weymouth Beach. The idea behind the event is to create an open forum with the public, allowing them to raise questions and share ideas about the project. The team is hoping to recruit volunteers and official sponsors on the day.

The organising group will also be holding an annual general meeting with the public at Pilgrim House on September 17 from 7pm.

John Simpson, vice chairman of the Weymouth Carnival Group, said: “We’ve been talking to people in the town this week and trying to find more sponsors. A lot of people seem to be interested in joining us on the committee and as ambassadors.

“Having eight sponsors backing us isn’t a bad position to be in but we need more. The way we see it is the more sponsors we get the better it is for the carnival.”

“The feedback from the public has been very positive so far. We need the community to continue to show their support.

He added: “If anybody is interested in sponsoring or helping out at the carnival, please do come down to see us on the seafront.”

The event will be spread over three days for the first time next year from August 13-15.

If you would like to join the committee or sponsor Weymouth Carnival 2021 email volunteer.weymouthcarnival@gmail.com or promotion.weymouthcarnival@gmail.com