SPONSORSHIP money raised for this year's Weymouth carnival will directly help children in the local community.

Everyone in the grand parade, which for the first time will largely be on foot, has a chance to either raise sponsorship for a school or an individual child.

Parade organiser Tony Deadman said: "All people have to do is go on to our website - www.weymouthcarnival.co.uk - and they can download a sponsorship form from there.

"We hope that everyone from an individual to a company will use a sponsorship form to raise as much money for children's good causes as possible.

"All this will hopefully raise a huge sum of money to help children right across the Weymouth and Portland area."

The carnival drive to raise money for children will be highlighted on Tuesday when members of Weymouth Beach Group host a visit by 32 disabled children from the Swindon area.

Visit organiser Gary Hayward said: "They will be met on Weymouth seafront by animal characters from the Haven Holiday Park.

"We will then give them a day to remember including a slap-up lunch, a Punch and Judy show, donkey rides and a sand castle building competition.

"All this will highlight our support for the carnival's efforts to raise money for local children."

Tony also said that the grand parade and fireworks will be the finale for a 2008 carnival that will have many old favourites.

He said: "The Red Arrows have confirmed they are coming as are the London Fire Brigade parachute team, the Guinot wing walkers and the Battle of Britain Memorial Spitfire. We are also still negotiating for several new events for carnival.

"This is the first year that Weymouth Round Table has not organised carnival and the committee want to put on a great show to continue all their good work.

"Our main concern at the moment is to ensure that as many people, groups, companies, clubs and organisations as possible come forward to take part in the parade.

"Football and rugby teams are welcome and we can use their muscle to perhaps pull a trailer for some of the very young children who may not be able to walk the entire parade route.

"Children can also take advantage of Kinetika, a company which will be in Weymouth in July to run workshops for schools so children can design a costume to wear in the carnival parade.

"Our website also contains an entry form for the parade which is right next to the form for sponsorship. We hope as many people as possible use both."