AHOY there me hearties – Weymouth Carnival needs your floats.

Locals at a Weymouth pub have been splicing the main brace and come up with a nautical theme for their entry.

The Spice Ship in Preston Road is among the businesses pledging support for this year’s procession which will see the return of motorised floats after a two-year absence, prompted by a high-profile campaign.

New Weymouth Carnival organisers from the Rotary Clubs have arranged affordable insurance cover for the parade on carnival day Wednesday August 18.

With less than two weeks to go to the big day, the organising committee is keen that youth groups, charities and firms submit their entries in plenty of time.

More than 150 entry forms have been downloaded from the carnival website.

Committee vice-chairman Shaun Hennessy, who is in charge of the procession, said: “I’m happier with the procession numbers than I was a few weeks ago because I’m starting to get four or five entries a day now.

“I must say though that the majority of them are walking entries.

“Float entries are starting to come in but I’m disappointed we haven’t had more, to be honest. A lot of the traditional ones haven’t come back to us and I haven’t seen any school float entries.

“When I’ve organised the procession before the majority of float entries have come in during the last week so I’m expecting a flood over the next few days.”

Spice Ship landlady Wendy Buckingham and her regulars are preparing a float which will feature a shipwrecked crew.

Mrs Buckingham said regulars climbed on board after she put posters up appealing for support.

Local musicians Jack Daniels and Benny Wain are among those joining the crew.

Mrs Buckingham said: “I’ve been at the pub three years now and never done anything like this before.”

If you want to enter the procession pick up an entry form from Blondz in St Edmund Street, the Hotel Prince Regent on the Esplanade or download one from the website: www.weymouthcarnival.co.uk For procession inquiries call Shaun Hennessy on 07970 850068.