Fundraisers have had to scrap one of their few chances to raise cash due to huge insurance costs.

Southill and Radipole Open Spaces Society had planned to hold a stall on the seafront during the resort's carnival week but had to back out after being told they would have to pay at least £250 for insurance.

Secretary of the society Brenda Dimond said: "We were going to have a stall on the Friday after the carnival because we couldn't get in for Carnival Day.

"Then we learned that we'd have to assess how many people would be near our stall at any one time and pay upwards of £250 for insurance.

"Needless to say we have now cancelled the stall as we cannot afford that sort of money and couldn't even guess how many people would be around. I doubt very much if we would have raised that much on the stall altogether.

"How are we supposed to raise funds to try and save a green space in Southill if we are having to pay these high insurances?"

Soaring insurance costs have also forced Chickerell Carnival to drop its procession this year and organisers of Weymouth's carnival procession have warned that this year's parade could be the last in its current form after insurance shot up from £1,500 last year to £7,500 for this year.

Tony Taylor, who runs insurance brokers Jack Coates & Co in Maiden Street said: "Because of the number of claims being put in to insurance companies these days most companies will only give a minimum liability premium of £250. This is too much for the small man trying to get liability cover.

"Things like stalls have to get insurance in case someone falls on to the stall or trips over the leg of it, anything that might cause injury.

"Many premiums haven't gone up hugely since last year but they are increasing year on year."

Chickerell Carnival, which has been running for 22 years, is on Saturday from 11.30am and continues into the evening.

All proceeds raised by the event will be shared between Chickerell United Football Club and the Willowbed Hall.