The chairman of Shanklin Carnival has warned: “Use us or lose us.” Den Lerner said that last year’s cancelled event, which was washed out by the weather, cost the committee £6,000, while the carnival hut needs a new roof which will cost another £6,000.

The Children’s Carnival takes place on Sunday, starting at Palmerston Road and processing down to the railway station, while the main event is on Wednesday with floats meeting at Popham Road at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Den said: “We had to cancel last year following last year’s storms but we still had to pay for insurance and other expenses. Our collecting buckets are so important to our fund-raising, every penny helps. It’s important people support us, because if we don’t get that support, then we can’t carry on.

“Our hut, where we build the float each year, also needs a new roof. We have had it patched up in the past, but now have a canvas covering which needs replacing. This is another £6,000, so we are trying to raise that money with jumble sales and craft fairs.

“We’re hoping for a big turn-out on Wednesday. We have all the carnival queens and lots of entertainment with FaT Samba, Raw Samba and the Ventnor Comic Jazz Band, who are joining us for the first time in a couple of years.”

The town’s illuminated carnival will take place on August 10.