Sheringham carnival committee has dipped in to cash reserves to boost its annual handout to local good causes. New chairman Helena Beresford said that, while bucket collections were up this year, there had been a drop in advertising and sponsorship.

Sheringham carnival committee has dipped into cash reserves to boost its annual handout to local good causes.

New chairman Helena Beresford said that while bucket collections were up this year, there had been a drop in advertising and sponsorship.

"We were concerned that charities were even more in need of help at this difficult time, so we decided to use some of our reserve funds," she said.

Donations totalling £5,150 have been made to 24 charities and good causes, including Norfolk Lupus Group, Sheringham First Response team, Little Monkey's Pre-school Group, Cromer Dialysis Unit, and Sheringham Salvation Army Band, who were presented with a cheque by Mrs Beresford on Sunday as they visited Regis Place to play outside the home of former lifeboat coxswain Henry "Joyful" West.

Thanking the carnival committee, bandmaster Paul Winterbourne said support from local individuals and organisations like the carnival was invaluable.

"The Salvation Army Band is integral to the community and it is a privilege to be asked to be involved in the carnival," he added.

Mrs Beresford, who takes over as chairman for 2009 after serving as vice-chairman for two years, said that, with a number of new attractions planned, next year's event would be bigger and better than ever.

Joining the committee as vice-chairman is former lifeboat coxswain Martyn Jackson, who has been involved in the carnival for many years, with Maureen Cook taking over as press officer.

Mrs Beresford, who hopes to encourage local young people to stage street theatre or music events during carnival week, appealed for more local people to help out.

"We are planning to have all the traditional items as well as some new ones, and hope to have a programme bursting with events," she said. "We want this year's event to be as much a festival as a carnival, but to do that, we need more volunteers."

Anyone interested in volunteering, or charities wanting to apply for a donation from 2009 carnival funds, can call 01263 823463 or attend the next carnival meeting at The Morley Club, Cromer Road, at 7.30pm on December 2.