CHERITON and Morehall's carnival will be cancelled if a generous donor is not found in the 11th hour.

Organisers have said that with just £150 in the bank they cannot afford to dress the girls in suitable regalia, let alone host the event through the streets of Folkestone, scheduled for the evening of June 8.

The court's £500 frocks will be ready on Saturday when the carnival season officially starts and the bill for them must be paid at the weekend. Bankruptcy is now looming.

Chairman Karol Steele, who had hoped this year's carnival would be staged in memory of her late father and carnival chairman Mick Ryan, said: "It's now or never for the association. If we don't come up with the money by Saturday, Cheriton carnival association will cease to be. Our girls are trying to raise money by selling raffle tickets, but it's still not enough.

"They are good girls and deserve their chance to shine for Cheriton this year. Please, please help if you can."

Anyone who wants to help can send a cheque made payable Cheriton Carnival Association to Mrs Steele at 25 Buckland Avenue, Dover, Kent, CT16 2NR.