A LAST ditch plea has been made to save an award-winning carnival club from being consigned to the history books.

Wheddon Cross Carnival Club has just eight youngsters from five families signed-up and has yet to be able to form a full committee of adults for the 2012 season.

Instead, just a handful of parents are taking on the lion's share of work to try and keep the club afloat.

And secretary Chris Matravers said the work involved in designing, building and fundraising each year was just too much for the remaining helpers to do.

"When we were first going out we had 20 child members and plenty of parents to build the float, but those kids are now teenagers and there are only a few children left in the club," he said.

"It's a lot of hard work getting a float together when there are so few people to help and it's getting to the stage now where the club is no longer viable."

The situation is set to come to a head on Sunday when the club holds a crisis meeting to try and recruit new members or face the very real possibility of mothballing the group for the foreseeable future.

"It seems mad that those of us who are left stick in so many hours that we don't have time to do anything else.

"We just need more helpers and members who can give a few hours a week to the club," Mr Matravers said.

Sunday's meeting will be held in the Moorland Hall sports club in Wheddon Cross at 8pm.

Mr Matravers urged anyone interested in joining the club to attend or to register their interest by contacting him on 01643 841008.

Wheddon Cross Carnival Club is something of a legend on the local carnival circuit having scooped a clutch of awards during its ten year history.

It was formed as a result of the closure of the village's youth club and quickly gained support from local businesses and through fundraising skittles events, quiz nights and darts marathons.

The club was eventually able to buy its own float trailer and later gained a grant from a local trust to help it buy a generator.

Traditionally, the club takes part in five or six processions a year, which in the past have included Watchet, Dulverton, Taunton, Wellington, South Molton, Barnstaple and Tiverton.

Unfortunately, the float is too long to get around Porlock and invitations to join carnivals in Ilminster and Combe Martin have had to be declined due to date clashes.

Mr Matravers said: "We have gained much recognition over the years from carnival organisers and judges alike, winning many cups and trophies.

"During the last season alone we achieved nine placings, including two best in procession and three first in class.

"Over the years our numbers have fluctuated as all clubs do, but over the last couple of years numbers have dropped to the lowest ever.

"Unfortunately, at our AGM in January we did not have enough people to form a quorum of members to be able to elect officers onto the committee.

"With so few parents and helpers, the workload on the remaining club members is becoming massive and we are actively seeking new members and helpers."