LOCAL groups wishing to benefit from the proceeds of this year's Devizes Carnival will have to apply for funds by the end of the month.

The carnival committee has also appealed for help. Carnival chairman Noel Woolrych said: "This year we want to involve the villages more and we're trying to get finance for workshops to create carnival entries.

"We need the help of lots of people to make it happen. If Devizes wants to have a carnival, people will have to make some contribution towards it, especially in terms of manpower."

To mount the carnival now costs about £50,000, much of the cost going on the popular workshops, which are mainly funded by grant aid from the Arts Council.

Local sponsorship covers much of the expense of the bank holiday Monday street festival, which now attracts thousands of people from all over the county and beyond.

It is hoped that more stalls will be made available at this year's street festival and also at the confetti battle where the Devizes Boys Brigade Old Boys Band will beat retreat to mark its 75th anniversary.

Groups wanting to benefit from proceeds or helpers should call Mr Woolrych on (01380) 724533.