Otley Carnival has been given a generous cash boost - but organisers have warned they still need more help.

Leeds City Council's Otley and Wharfedale Community Involv-ement Team (CIT) this week agreed to give the carnival £2,300 towards the running of next June's event.

The money will go towards the cost of insuring the event, to pay for the bands and also for a mobile toilet block on the carnival field on carnival day.

CIT chairman, Councillor Clive Fox (Con, Otley and Wharfedale), said: "It was thought that the carnival was a significant event in the town and should be supported."

Bryan Dexter, of the Otley Carnival Committee, said it was a very welcome contribution, but stressed it was a one off and hoped it would not put people off donating money.

"We are deeply grateful to the CIT for the money, but we would remind people this is a one off," he said.

"We still run the carnival at a loss and would still like to hear from anyone who would like to help us on the day."

Mr Dexter said every year the carnival committee faced increasing costs of insuring the event and less input from the police.

"The police are finding it more and more difficult to cover the carnival.

"They do it free of charge, but every year ask us to do more.

"Last year we helped out by putting out all the cones on the streets and this year we've been asked to look after the traffic at the bottom of West Chevin Road at the junction of Bradford Road."

l Anyone who would like to help out at this year's Otley Carnival should telephone Bryan Dexter on (01943) 463266 or Derek Mason on (01943) 462439.