AN 11TH hour bid to save Yeadon Carnival is gaining momentum - with a provisional date of July 2 now in place for this year's event.

The popular annual extravaganza looked to be dead in the water just a fortnight ago when it emerged that organiser Steve Maw was moving away.

Uncertainty over the starting date for work on the new health centre -- which will use a car park normally used by the carnival -- had also thrown a major question mark over proceedings.

But Otley Town Councillor Nigel Francis, a veteran voluntary events organiser, stepped in determined to save the day.

Last Thursday Coun Francis met with a group of 12 people interested in forming a new carnival committee.

Whilst encouraged by the turnout, he insists more community support is still needed.

He said: "I was very pleased with the people who turned up for the meeting and we've got parts of it in place now -- we're confident we can actually pull it off and run the event.

"It will be on Saturday, July 2 as far as we know now and, also subject to confirmation, will feature the usual fairground attractions at the front of the Town Hall.

"And, as in previous years, we'll be using the Methodist field and church behind for the actual event.

"But people have to realise it normally takes six months to organise this, we've had six weeks! We'll obviously do it to the best of our ability but it can't be the same as normal."

One area still being frantically worked on is the parade, and another is trying to secure funding for both this year's and future events.

A further meeting to try and get key committee members elected, meanwhile has been organised at the Methodist Church from 8pm on Thursday, June 9.

Coun Francis is also calling on all groups hoping to take part in the carnival to get in touch.

He said: "We need every group that's involved to get in touch with me straight away, then we'll make a list of stall-holders.

"At the moment we're hoping to do community or charity stalls free of charge, and for commercial ones there'll probably a nominal charge of around £10, payable to Yeadon Carnival.

"As for the parade we are hoping to have one but we don't know yet how long it will be or what it will entail.

"I'll also be contacting the ward councillors to see if we can get at least enough money to fund this year's carnival.

"We have to get the chairman and other committee positions in place very quickly, hopefully that will be sorted out next Thursday.

"We want anybody who's interested in doing something to come along, the more the better.

"And we'd like especially to have more entertainment for the kids - clowns, face painters, anything like that. We're hoping the schools will come along and it will just be a fun day."

Anyone interested in helping can contact Coun Francis on 01943 463502 (Mondays to Thursdays) or on 01943 463467 (on Fridays, weekends and evenings).