WEYMOUTH Carnival will go ahead with processions on foot if need be, a volunteer group pledged last night.

More than 60 people packed into a public meeting at Weymouth College to show support for the town event - which will be run by the community for the first time this year.

The town was shocked last autumn when organiser Weymouth Round Table announced that it was stepping down after 50 years, but public response has saved the festivities.

Community groups, businesses and individuals will now be running the carnival co-ordinated by Weymouth Community Volunteers.

Volunteers spokesman at last night's meeting Jenny Stiling said: "The main point is unquestionably people want the carnival to continue and the message is it's going to take place on August 20.

"We've got the Ladies Alive charity group running the carnival ball, we're being supported by borough council officers, beach traders, local artists, Weymouth College, the Round Table are giving us advice, the girls from the fancy dress shop in Abbotsbury Road are here and it's absolutely wonderful."

She said one of the key expenses was insuring lorries for the procession and added: "We have to work towards getting people to take part without wheels."

Volunteers' co-ordinator Sue Follan promised the most popular events would continue, but said no money would be spent without sponsorship first being put in a Lloyds TSB carnival bank account.

The Red Arrows - which will cost £10,000 - have been provisionally booked, while the procession, fireworks, programmes, grand draw, carnival ball, beach events, trade stands, carnival queen and carnival king as a new addition, are all in the pipeline.

Round Table member Paul Parker said despite on-going costs year-on-year, last year's event raised £35,000 for charity and grossed just over £80,000.

President of the town's chamber of commerce Andy Cooke warned that the Round Table always kick-started its carnival funds with money from its annual charity work, while this year's event began with nothing.

Councillor Kate Wheller, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's leisure and tourism spokesman, said the meeting was about sowing the seeds of activity.

She said: "A lot of people will go away and think of ideas. We're all here on this miserable night because we want the carnival to continue.

"There's such a lot of good will here this evening. I'm thrilled."

Organisers are appealing for local businesses to sponsor individual events.

Anyone wanting to get involved should call Sue Follan on 01305 830255.

* The Chesil Partnership's procession of 600 primary school pupils taking part in the Spirit of the Sea festival in July, will also be supporting the August event.

Programme manager for visual arts and media at Weymouth College, Norman Lomax, said: "We see the carnival as engaging young people win a new form of art.

"We want to look at ways the carnival can develop in line with aspirations of the South West Arts Council to meet some of the aims of the Cultural Olympiad - a four-year period of cultural activity in the United Kingdom leading up to the 2012 Games."