VOLUNTEERS have come to the rescue of the Northwich Carnival, and now its organisers are calling for the community to help make the event great again.

The carnival’s future looked in doubt due to a dwindling number of parade participants and a decline in committee members.

However, following a successful meeting last month to get new committee members on board the show will go on this July and organisers are now looking for people to join the parade and royal retinue.

Chairman Barbara Turner said: “We had a tough year last year, for various reasons and we really did wonder whether there was a future for the event.

“We’ve had fewer people in the parade every year and at one point there were only four members left on the committee.

"However, we had 25 people turn up to an emergency meeting last month offering to help. Now we’ve got a full committee and we’ve decided that we’re going to go ahead with it.

“We’re really hoping that local groups and organisations will get behind us this year and take part in the parade.

"We realise that times have changed, and that people have lots of other commitments or interests these days, but it’s a town tradition and this will be its 131st year. It would be such a shame to lose it.”

She added: “People can be quick to criticise after an event when something doesn’t go right, and that has happened to us in the past which can be very disheartening.

"It would be wonderful if the community could come together beforehand so that we could make it a great town success story.”

“We’re optimistic for the future – with new people come new ideas so we’re excited to see what we can do.

"It would be fantastic if we could be like the phoenix rising from the flames.”

The Northwich Carnival will take place on Saturday, July 6. The carnival queen and other retinue roles will be chosen at the Gladstone Club, on Station Road, on Sunday, March 17, from 1pm.

For more information contact Barbara at barbt2353@yahoo.co.uk or call 01606 76113.