ORGANISERS of a popular town carnival have decided not to axe this year's event after a "fantastic" response from residents.Doubts had been cast over the Aldeburgh Carnival because of a lack of volunteers willing to help out with the showcase.

ORGANISERS of a popular town carnival have decided not to axe this year's event after a "fantastic" response from residents.

Doubts had been cast over the Aldeburgh Carnival because of a lack of volunteers willing to help out with the showcase.

But a crisis meeting last nightprompted a stirring reaction from residents, who packed the parish church hall to pledge their support.

The long-standing event, which still attracts thousands of people, will now go ahead on August 16, 17 and 18.

Maureen Wiseman, an Aldeburgh Carnival committee member, said more than 100 people had been at the meeting to decide its fate.

She said: "It was a fantastic meeting and the hall was full to capacity. We had some brilliant ideas from people on the floor and great offers of help from groups and individuals.

"We've been offered help from various businesses, like pubs and estate agents, while other people said they would make contacts to get even more help.

"The committee was so pleased with seeing so many people there and the response that we decided the carnival will go ahead. Now we are making plans towards that."

The carnival includes a High Street procession, stalls, entertainment and fireworks and has been going for more than a century.

Some of the committee members have been serving the event for around a quarter of that time, but the need for more help for this year's event had become apparent.

Carnival committee chairman and town mayor Felicity Bromage had warned the carnival was suffering from a lack of younger committee members.

Members work towards the August event over the entire year as well as being volunteers for the day – and she said more people, especially younger ones, were needed for the task.

That raised fears this year's event may have to be scrapped, but last night's show of support from the public will see it return.

The carnival weekend is due to kick-off on Saturday, August 16, culminating in the main carnival day on Monday, August 18.