Ref. 28724A SUMMER fair traditionally held at Lydiard Park may be cancelled if the Wootton Bassett Lions Club does not recruit new members.

The 30-year-old club has organised the May fair for a quarter of a century.

But many members have retired or moved away and now the group has only 12 regular volunteers.

It needs double that number for the fair to be saved.

The event, which is held on the first Bank Holiday in May, has been cancelled on only two other occasions, firstly because of flooding three years ago and then by the foot and mouth disease outbreak of 2001.

Lion Barry Hodgson said this year's fun could still go ahead.

He said: "The fair would be sorely missed if it did not go ahead.

"We fill up three fields for car parking alone.

"It is an amazing event, we can make up to £10,000 from that weekend alone, which all goes to good causes.

"If people don't want to become full time members then they could become Lion helpers.

"We need the manpower for the three days around the May bank holiday.

"We need younger people to put something back into the community and get involved."

The event attracts up to 10,000 visitors each year and previous highlights have included displays from the army, vintage railway engines and cars and fairground attractions, as well as stalls and a car boot sale.

The Lions Club, which has organisations in 155 countries, has no political or religious affiliations and is open to men and women.

Each club gives priority to local communities but also offers assistance in times of international disasters through the Lion International Foundation.

The Wootton Bassett club also organises other fundraising events such as a Christmas carol float that tours the area for two weeks.

Last year, it donated funds to the international fund as well as to organisations closer to home, including the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust.

The club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 8pm at the Cross Keys, High Street.

For more details call Barry Hodgson 01793 851075 or club president Pete Brittain on 01249 812710.

bvadde@newswilts.co.uk