ORGANISERS of a top local carnival are sew eager to hear from volunteers after launching an appeal for help.

They are looking to recruit people with sewing machines to stitch some five miles of new bunting which will decorate this summer's 26th annual Adlington Carnival.

Show press officer Colin Prescott explained: "We have a three-mile procession and the bunting has to be replaced. There's about nine miles of bunting in total and probably about five needs doing, but we need to get down to it."

He added: "We haven't enough women on the committee. The appeal is for people with sewing machines, even domestic sewing machines, to help us out.

"We're looking for anyone, men included, who can help. It doesn't matter what the sewing machine's like as long as it works.

"We can take the bunting out to them, we've got it cut into triangular flags, it just needs sewing to string which we will provide. It's a straightforward job, just fold it over and sew.

"It's boring but you can do it watching television or reading. All you have to do is sew a straight line."

Carnival organisers admit they didn't look after the bunting carefully enough after taking it down from last year's silver jubilee show, which hasn't helped.

And the carnival, one of the most popular village events of its kind in Lancashire, also allows other people to use it free of charge. "Anybody in Lancashire who wants bunting tends to come to us," said Colin.

The event has had to battle through troubled times of late due to a lack of sponsorship and has just managed to survive. But it has attracted some top celebrity guests from the world of show business and sport over the years, including boxer Frank Bruno.

Anyone who wants to help with the sewing should contact Colin on 01257 482043.

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