PLANS for Weymouth’s 2012 Carnival and Air Show are in disarray as organisers admit they will have to change the date because of Olympic restrictions.

The carnival has traditionally been held on the third Wednesday of August for more than 20 years and organisers are aware that many people plan their holidays around it.

It will have to be put forward by a day or even a week, depending on the outcome of talks, to avoid clashing with an Olympic no-fly zone.

Organisers are also worried that rules protecting the Olympic Games’ ‘brand’ around venues will play havoc with their preparations including the promotion of the grand draw which helps to boost the coffers.

Regulations that govern advertising and trading in open spaces around Olympic venues are currently being consulted on and the implications of them locally are not yet known.

The carnival organising committee, which is made up of local Rotary Club members, had thought their event could benefit from Olympic fever in Weymouth and Portland next summer when the eyes of the world will be on the area for the sailing events.

But Olympic restrictions appear to be threatening one of the biggest charity carnivals in the south.

Urgent talks are being arranged with local 2012 representatives and officials from the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) in a bid to find a way forward.

As already reported in the Echo, an Olympic no-fly zone will be in place over South Dorset next summer for non-essential traffic under 3,000ft.

With the carnival planned for August 15 next year – three days after the end of the Olympic Games and a fortnight before the Paralympics – it was hoped the airspace restrictions could be lifted at least for that date to allow aerobatic pilots to perform at the air show.

Secretary of the Weymouth Carnival and Air Show 2012 John Kelly said: “We have now been advised that the airspace restriction during the entire Olympics period between July 14, 2012 to September 12, 2012 will not be lifted. This applies specifically to August 15, carnival day, because the Olympics sailors will be in residence until then at the athletes village at Portland.

“However, the authorities which control the airspace and permissions to fly may give exemptions for “display acts” to fly in the prohibited zone between August 16-24 inclusive.

“The carnival committee is now considering the implications of moving the event to one of these dates.”

Mr Kelly added: “While we remain fully supportive of the Olympics, this is obviously a frustrating development, particularly as we are also considering other possible Olympics restrictions, including those that may affect our draw ticket sales, programme sales and sponsorship.

“We also fully appreciate that it may also affect people who have already made their own plans to fit in with the carnival.

“We are seeking urgent discussions with the Olympics organisers at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and LOCOG, who we hope can clarify exactly where we stand with regard to available dates and regulations, and we will seek their full support for next year’s carnival and air show.”