A FIREWORKS display which has helped raise thousands of pounds for charity could go up in smoke unless vital sponsorship is found.

Jon Gabb has organised Southill Fireworks in Weymouth for the past 11 years but is running out of time to attract the final £1,300 out of the £2,900 needed to hold the event on November 8.

Mr Gabb, 36, of Southill, blamed the credit crunch and soaring costs of fireworks for the fall in sponsorship.

Now he has appealed for more businesses to sign up and also for people who attend the spectacular show to turn it into a people's event' and give sponsorship.

Mr Gabb said: "I want to make a plea to companies to help out and for people who have attended the event that if they want it to continue they need to put their hand in their pocket to help out.

"If everyone who attended gave a pound it would easily cover the costs as we normally get 2,000 to 3,000 people watching.

"It's a community event and it's free. I don't make any money out of it. It is a fireworks event which each year invites a charity or non-profit organisation to come and make a collection.

"Local community groups also have stalls and raise money."

Mr Gabb added: "If we don't get enough sponsorship then it won't go ahead full stop.

"If you want to see the fireworks this year, please help out."

The sponsorship money is used to buy fireworks and a small amount goes on admin costs and expenses.

Mr Gabb needs the sponsorship before the night to buy fireworks and ensure the event goes ahead.

He stressed that it was organised as a free, not for profit, fireworks show that charities could collect at. The charity collecting this year is the Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance. He estimates that main charities, not including community stalls, have made an average of £1,000 a year - £11,000 in total - since the event began.

Other non-profit making organisations which will benefit from the event this year are Southill School PTA, Southill Youth Club, Southill Kidz R Us Pre-school and Radipole Scout Group.

Mr Gabb praised supporters that have already pledged their support but said that others had pulled out or were not coming forward because of the economic slump.

He said: "The credit crunch has had an impact. Some people are pulling out or offering less money. The economic situation is certainly having a domino effect when it comes to certain industries.

He added: "The price of fireworks has also gone up, on average by about 40 per cent. The import costs have gone up as Chinese workers start to get better paid."

Supporters so far are the John Gregory, AKI Ltd, Bridwey Precision, the Snooker Club, Independant Financial Solutions, Bartlett's garage, Dunnings Automatics, Albion Shipping Services, Angel Pharmacy, DEPA H2O Services and Tidings.

Mr Gabb said it would be impossible to take money on the night because of licences, budgets to buy fireworks and because some people would just stand outside and watch and not pay.

n Contact Mr Gabb to offer sponsorship on 07786 446388 during the evenings only.