ORGANISERS behind Watchet's annual Kids Festival fear next year's event may have to be cancelled if an appeal for more help is unsuccessful.

The festival was launched more than a decade ago by local resident Izzy Sylvester with the aim of providing the kind of experiences not always available to children in isolated communities at a price most families could afford.

For the last few years it has been organised by a small team, with Rachel Irven and Judy Prior joining Izzy, and now they feel an action team is needed to ensure the 2014 festival takes place.

"We feel we have succeeded in meeting the original aims but we now desperately need more energetic members who can bring new ideas and keep the festival developing and not staying the same," said Rachel.

"The festival needs new blood and new ideas to make sure it continues to provide an exciting and worthwhile day for local children.

"Although we have very many volunteers of all ages who turn up on the day and make it all possible, we really need a lot more help in the run-up to the event."

At the festival's annual meeting last week, organisers made it clear that if an appeal for more volunteers - particularly younger people - fails, they will not be able to continue to run the event.

"The festival is aimed at young parents and children but young parents, or even young people, are not represented at all in the organising group," said Rachel.

Three people did put their names forward at the annual meeting, including one man who offered help with site management and two women prepared to get involved in some of the workshops.

But organisers also need a secretary who could attend regular meetings, write up minutes and action plans in the lead-up to the event and 'thank you' letters afterwards.

They also need a couple of people who could help secure funding - the festival costs around £8,000 to stage - and several people to plan and organise the craft workshops, as well as volunteers for the practical planning and setting up of the event.

"We feel that a new festival action team needs to be up and running by the end of January," said Rachel.

"If enough people do not come forward, then it will have to be cancelled for 2014."

Anyone interested in helping can contact Rachel on 01984 631083 or by email at [email protected]">[email protected].