THERE have been countless ideas thought up in hazy bars over several pints of beer which have never seen the light of day.

But one dreamt up by a band of fishermen and a few other regulars at Colin Horne's King's Arms pub on Weymouth's harbourside 31 years ago has become an essential part of the spring bank holiday weekend in the resort.

In fact, Weymouth just wouldn't be the same without Trawler Race Day, the annual riot of comedy and colour complemented with a few pints in the sunshine.

Other towns have tried to follow but none have come close to matching the spirit of the town gala, which has raised thousands of pounds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and smaller local charities and put a smile on many a face.

The event has traditionally started the summer season and is well known as a family day full of fun with many attractions on offer.

And no race would be complete without the traditional soaking and flour throwing as small fishing boats come against the might of a visiting Royal Navy ship.

The event's humble beginnings can be traced to a smoky bar in the King's Arms where fisherman Tarps' Randall suggested the idea of staging a trawler race on Whitsun Bank Holiday Monday 1977 to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee.

Fisherman Pinkie Menzies-Welham, who was among the group, said: "There were about six or seven of us in the pub and we were disappointed that nothing was happening for jubilee Day. The council was closing roads so people could have street parties, but there was no single event the whole town could be involved in.

"Tarps had been going down to the Brixham Trawler Race for a few years in his boat and he was always raving on about it, so he said why don't we have one here. It's not actually a race as such, more of a time trial. But it sounded a lot of fun and we thought we could raise some money for the lifeboat because the King's Arms supported the RNLI."

The group managed to stump up a small amount of cash and a committee was formed in order to get the event off the ground and find sponsors.

Among the members were Pinkie, publicans Colin Horne and Don Honeybon, accountant Vic Cooke, fish trader John Jennings, chimney sweep John Sootie' Stockley and Jo Stainer, who was brought in as secretary.

"We had a lot of laughs trying to get it together and everything was co-ordinated from the pub," recalls Pinkie, now 65.

"Businesses were very supportive and were all eager to sponsor a boat. The Carlsberg brewery gave us a load of beer but it took a few years before we could tempt Devenish into becoming a major sponsor."

The King's Arms Trawler Race, complete with charity stalls, tombola, raft race, a madcap tug-o-war across the harbour, majorette displays, the Poole Sea Cadets Band and extended licences for harbourside pubs, was declared a huge success and even attracted interest from outside the area, including fishermen from the Channel Islands.

The town lifeboat led fishing boats around a set course in the bay and trophies were presented to the first boat home, the best-decorated boat and harbourside properties.

Pinkie says: "It went down an absolute storm and was a great family day out. When people suggested we do one the following year we didn't think it would work because no one would be in the mood, but it was even better. We knew we had started something special:' Support from businesses meant the Trawler Race with its colourful carnival atmosphere was able to become an annual fixture in Weymouth's events calendar, and the amount of trawlers and money raised steadily grew over the years.

Supporters of the Trawler Race have stayed loyal to the committee and respected figures from the town have been invited to chair the committee to help raise the profile of the event.

They have included Arthur Hambleton, the former Chief Constable of Dorset, and later Sam Dunlop, a retired navy commodore who spent a distinguished career in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. They managed to tempt major sponsors including Devenish and later Inn Leisure, Greenalls and Scottish & Newcastle.

Sam, who is now 78, said: "Unfortunately because of the pubs' extension in the early days the event often attracted a yob element. Professional boozers from all over would turn up to get drunk, which was sad because Trawler Race Day was designed to be a fun event and we tried our best to keep it an occasion the whole family could enjoy with duck races and that sort of thing. People would blame the trawler men, but they were not involved. People forget the fishermen give up a day's earnings to provide entertainment.

"I often went along to court to challenge the pub extension licences, but I didn't succeed. Pubs are allowed to open all day now so it's different."

Current chairman of the committee is former lifeboat coxswain Derek Sargent, who has occupied the position since 1989.

Mr Sargent, 68, said: "The event was started to raise money for the RNLI and other local charities and it continues to do so. We reckon about £6,000-£7,000 is raised on the day, although much more can be taken by other good causes."

The town was rocked by the news this year that the present committee members, some of whom have served for more than 10 years, will be stepping down after this year's event to make way for new blood.

Furthermore, it is unlikely the race will go ahead in its present format next year.

Mr Sargent blames the demise of Weymouth's fishing industry and the failure of a major sponsor and the majority of businesses to offer financial support.

He said: "It will be a sad day for Weymouth if the Trawler Race goes under, but I don't think anyone would like to see that happen. We welcome new people on to the committee with new ideas."