BRIDPORT Carnival brought the crowds out at the weekend - and coined in more than £3,500 for local causes.

The figure is more than last year and confirms that the carnival is back on track after fears last year when hard-pressed organisers appealed for more people to help them, otherwise the annual event might fold.

It also silenced some of the critics whose reported comments before the event made many think that the carnival might not be worth turning out for. Chairman Shaun Fox said: "It was a very good weekend, although very tiring. I think it was thoroughly enjoyed by all."

West Dorset's senior youth worker Arthur Woodgate agreed, particularly as it was claimed that young people were no longer interested in the carnival.

"It was great to see so many children and young people involved and this can only bode well for the future of the event," he said.

"From a professional point of view, I was really chuffed that three of our very diverse youth projects came together to celebrate the carnival - the Queen Bees, Japanese exchange and the Community Action Project we are running in conjunction with the Sir John Colfox School."

One of the later group, Toby Gurd, 15, said: "As someone who has never done the carnival before, it was a really good experience, especially with the amount of young people that took part, including those of a different nationality.

"The amount of people lining the streets just went to show what a brilliant event it was for the whole community."

The carnival procession was for the first time led by the West Bay auxiliary coastguard's vehicle, appropriately for a seaside town.

Beneficiaries this year are Bridport Disabled Drop-in Centre, Bridport Choral Society, St Catherine's, Loders Village Hall, Burton Bradstock WI, St Ronan's Pre-school, Bothenhampton Village Hall, Bridport Riding for the Disabled, Hargreaves Memorial Hall, Bridport House Club, CLIC, Bradpole Church Pre-school, Bridport Pantomime Players, Centaur Football Club, St John Ambulance, Police Benvolent Fund, Bridport Crime Prevention Panel.

On Monday, carnival cash was collected by a team of people - it took them from 9am until just before 6pm. There were three £5 notes and the breakdown of coins was 23 £2s, 551 £1s, 558 50ps, 2,565 20ps, 3,230 10ps, 7,600 5ps, 47,700 2ps and 64,900 1ps.

There are a number of people and organisations that the carnival committee would like to thank. They are: Colin Brown of Cain's Farm, Betty Scadding, Pauline Davies, Jason Way, Don Townsend, Shirley Northover of the Watchhouse Caf, No 10, John Good, The Bridport News, the police, Dave Warren of Babygear, the Horwoods, Alley Cuts, House of Flowers, Margaret Grundell, Groves, Martin Clunes, West Dorset Services, Graham Evans, Dave Weston, Alan Slaney, Mike Lewis, Barry Carter, Mosterton Ballet Company, Brian Richards, Eric and Joyce Dunford, Julian Hussey, Bridport Conservative Club, Bridport Darts League, the golf club, Longs Davies, Yeovil District Marshalls, Mel Hosking, Natalie Davies, all the money counters, Bridport Town Council, Lasting Impressions, Mystic Signs, the tug of war teams and all the people of Bridport and surrounding area who supported the carnival.