A CRISIS meeting to try to save Bere Alston Carnival, which is facing an uncertain future, will take place next Friday, February 21.

Hillary Boot-Handford, treasurer of Bere Alston carnival committee, said more community support was needed to keep the event going, and it was hoped the meeting would bring people forward to help with organising it.

?It is a ?Save our carnival? meeting,? said Mrs Boot-Handford.

?We are asking, can the carnival, as it stands, carry on? This is basically the last chance.

?A lot of people come along and enjoy the carnival. People just assume it?s going to keep going, but it takes a lot of hard work and energy.

?It would be a real shame to lose it. It?s one of the big events of the village.?

The carnival has been running for nine years, in an early May slot, and has been well-attended throughout that time.

The carnival committee also runs Bere Alston Victorian Evening at Christmas, and other events, including the May fun day, which the committee says is also under threat.

Mrs Boot-Handford said the committee needed ?people power? because there were a lot of volunteers needed to organise the carnival, and to work behind the scenes on the day to make sure the event went without a hitch.

She said the committee was keen to make sure people were fully aware of the situation with signs advertising the meeting to be put up around the village and letters distributed to parents through the primary school.

The crisis meeting takes place at the United Church in Fore Street, Bere Alston, at 7.30pm on February 21.

Anyone who is unable to attend but who would like to find out more about helping with the carnival can contact Mrs Boot-Handford on 01822 841185.