An SOS call is being made to Colchester businesses to help save the town's historic carnival.

Organisers of the popular summer event revealed the cost of hiring crowd safety barriers had placed it under threat - and called on the town's firms to put their hands in their pockets.

They welcomed a concession from police who originally said barriers would have to run the entire length of the route.

Michael Culham, organiser for the past 15 years, met officers who told him both sides of the High Street must be covered.

He said: "This has by no means secured the carnival's future as this will still cost around £2,000."

In previous years, Colchester Council had arranged the placement of the barriers but this year the responsibility has fallen upon the organisers.

Another blow came when police refused to provide officers to man the route and Mr Culham, from Colchester Community Fund, said more volunteer stewards were desperately needed.

Mr Culham slammed suggestions of introducing an all-pedestrian procession, saying: "This would not work at all."

The organising committee is set to discuss the carnival's future at a meeting next month.

Colchester mayor David Cannon has said the torchlight procession was also under threat from the cost of renting barriers.

He said if the equipment was needed along the whole route it would make it "financially impossible to pay for."

Last year the procession was made possible by a public-spirited company which came up with the £1,600 needed to hire the required barriers. The total amount collected on the procession stood at £800.

Anyone able to help with the costs or who wants to acts as a carnival steward should contact Mr Culham on 01206 271253.

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