THE REVIVAL of Weymouth Carnival next year has taken a step closer to reality after organisers received a £15,000 boost from the town's BID.

The event - which will mark 100 years since the first Weymouth Carnival - is due to return in 2021 following a two-year absence and is expected to cost around £60,000 to stage.

In August, organisers launched an appeal for support from local businesses to help pay for the event, which will be packed with traditional games, entertainment and a seafront procession, and will run over three days for the first time.

Organisers have also submitted an application to have the Red Arrows visit the carnival over the weekend but have expressed concerns about the cost.

The £15,000 donation from BID, announced yesterday, will be used to pay for one specific event at the carnival.

A spokeswoman for Weymouth Carnival said: "The money that has been donated by the BID is going to be used to pay for something specific at the carnival but we are unable to confirm what that is yet.

"All we can say is that the money will be used to pay for a very big event and it is something everyone loves. People travel from far and wide across the country to see this so we are very excited that we have been given the money to fund it.

"Thank you so much to the BID - it is one step closer to making the next carnival a reality."

The carnival is scheduled to take place on August 13-15 next year, however, due to uncertainty surrounding future coronavirus restrictions, organisers have said they will make a final decision by April 1 about whether it will go ahead.

A spokeswoman added: "The committee is hopeful that they will be able to run a Covid-secure event which will include social distancing to keep the community safe."

Carnival organisers are still appealing for community support for the event.

John Simpson, Chairman of the Weymouth Carnival Group, said: "We want people to get themselves behind us and support the carnival. If we pull this off, then it’s going to be one heck of a big party."

To join the committee or to sponsor Weymouth Carnival 2021, email volunteer.weymouthcarnival@gmail.com or promotion.weymouthcarnival@gmail.com