Chickerell Carnival procession has been scrapped because of soaring insurance costs.

Organisers of Weymouth's procession warned today that this year's parade could be the last in its current form after insurance costs increased from £1,500 last year to £7,500 this time around.

Chickerell Carnival, which has been running for 22 years, takes place a week today and although organisers have lined up a day of fun and frolics, the popular procession will not go ahead because insurance costs have gone though the roof.

Carol-Ann Hains, chairwoman of Chickerell Carnival Committee, said she was disappointed that the procession would not be taking place but said the cost of insuring it would have wiped out the profits made from the rest of the day's events.

"We could not get a company to insure us for the procession.

"There is only one company that does it now and its costs were just too expensive so we took the decision to cancel the procession, although Carnival day will go on as planned.

"We are quite upset that we can't get insurance cover for the carnival procession but we don't want to risk anyone being hurt so we have decided to go ahead with the day's events without it.

"Carnival means merry making so we hope people will have as much fun on Saturday without the procession as they would have done with it," added Mrs Hains.

Shaun Hennessy, organiser of the Weymouth Carnival procession for Weymouth and District Round Table said although the procession would go ahead this year it could be changed in future years because of increases in insurance costs.

He said: "Two or three years ago it was £200 to £300 to insure the carnival procession.

"Last year it was £1,500, this year it has risen to £7,500. We have never had any claims, the police are satisfied with the way we run the event and so is Health and Safety but the cost just keeps going up - the insurance company has got us over a barrel.

"Sadly though this could be the last year we have a motorised procession because the insurance costs are just eating into the money we raise for charity.

"We are trying to come up with alternatives and just a walking procession or even a candlelight one could be on the cards," said Mr Hennessy.

He said the only way the procession of floats would be able to continue would be if more people entered.

"We need more people to enter because their entry fees help pay for the insurance, which means more money can go to the good causes we support."

Last year's Weymouth Carnival raised £25,000 for charity and anyone interested in entering a float in this year's event on August 20 should contact Mr Hennessy on 07970 850068.

Chickerell Carnival is on Saturday from 11.30am when it starts with a pet show and continues into the evening. All proceeds raised by the event will be shared between Chickerell United Football Club and the Willowbed Hall.