A POPULAR Dorset carnival which attracts thousands of spectators will not take place this year due to a lack of volunteers.

Organisers of Lytchett Minster and Upton Carnival have said they hope more people will step forward so the event can take place next year.

In a statement released on Facebook, the carnival team said it was with "regret" that the committee had reached its decision.

"This is due to there not being enough people wishing to volunteer and commit the amount of time needed to put this event on," the statement said.

"The carnival takes months of preparation with licences and permissions to be organised as well as the logistics of managing and organising an event of this size."

Lytchett Minster and Upton Carnival last took place in 2019, having been cancelled due to the pandemic in the past two years.

Three years ago the carnival had more than 50 stalls on the recreation ground and 30 entrants in the parade.

The committee's statement added: "We the remaining committee are all volunteers and have both work and family commitments so are unable to put this on without further support.

"We have asked other organisations within our area and posted on social media and we have had offers of support but mostly for the day with no one being able to commit to the larger needs of the event.

"Several people have left due to the realisation of how much time they have given in previous years and during the pandemic they have realised that they need or want to devote more time to their families. We thank them for all their support in previous years."

It is hoped more people will commit the time required for next year's carnival to take place. Anyone willing to get involved in organising the carnival and other events in the area throughout the year, should contact the Lytchett Minster and Upton Carnival through their Facebook page.