Sponsors and volunteers are desperately needed to help make Otley's popular Victorian fair a rip-roaring success.

The annual all day and late night shopping event just before Christmas when shop keepers and business people dress in Victorian costume attracts thousands of people to the town.

But in order for it to take place, at least £2,000 must be raised to cover the cost of closing the town centre roads, to pay for the entertainment and to have the event policed.

Publicity officer Julie Cook said it had cost £800 to close the roads last year and the committee would not know until next year how much this year's bill would be.

"We don't know whether we'll be charged for closing the roads or not, but we need to raise the money anyway and if we don't raise at least £2,000 there would be no point in running the fair because our charity wouldn't get anything," she said.

A fundraising stall was held at the Otley Vintage Transport Extravaganza and on Thursday, October 21 at Otley Civic Centre there will be fashion show of chain store clothes.

And, following an appeal for volunteers, some people have stepped forward and are now co-ordinating appeals for new sponsors.

Mrs Cook said letters were being sent out to traders in the town, businesses, the town council and the town's chamber of trade and commerce.

"We are doing quite well at the moment and there's no chance the fair won't actually take place, but we always need more volunteers to help on the day and we always need more sponsors," she said.

This year's event, on Friday, December 10, will feature street entertainment and charity stalls and many shop and business workers will get into the spirit by dressing in Victorian costume.

Mrs Cook said the possibility of changing the format of the fair had been discussed but had been dismissed.

"We did think about it, but people know it as the Victorian Fair and seem to expect it to happen and besides, we have all gathered together our costumes," she added.

Anyone who would like to help out or would like to sponsor the event should telephone Mrs Cook on (01943) 463999.

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