CARNIVAL organisers are in need of vital funds to help keep the popular Halesowen festival going next year.

Preparations are already well underway for the town’s 2018 carnival, but the organising committee need to raise an additional £5,000 to put the event on.

This year’s event was an overwhelming success with the Halesowen sunshine attracting a record crowd of about 7,000 people.

Celebrity weatherman and actor Des Coleman and ex-Aston Villa winger Tony Daley added a bit of star power to proceedings at Highfield Park, while highlights included dance demonstrations and teaching from Danse Vivante, a wrestling competition, the largest inflatable in Europe and Dudley Zoo entertaining with their small creatures.

Cllr Stuart Henley, a member of the carnival organising committee, said many of 2017’s activities are set to return next year.

“Preparations for 2018 are going well,” he said. “A lot of plans are already in place to get as many of the stalls which were here this year to come back.

“We had a really good response from the stallholders who were very impressed with the event so were very excited about coming back in 2018.

“The fair and the wrestling, which proved very popular this year, will definitely be back, but we are desperately in need to funding, as it costs us £8,000 a year to put the event on.

“The money is vital as we want to keep the carnival a free event so all members of the community can attend.

“We haven’t had any funding offers yet, but we are in talks with people.”

Public donations can be made towards the cost of the carnival online at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/halesowencarnivalandmusicfestival

Cllr Henley added: “If any businesses would like to get involved and be a sponsor then they are more than welcome to speak to myself or a member of the committee and we will talk to them about the costs.”