THE ORGANISER of a popular summer event has urged a council to purchase a stage after making a 'substantial loss' this year.

More than 20,000 people took part in this year's Guitars on the Beach, performing Jonny B. Goode by Chuck Berry and My Sharona by The Knack.

The event didn't manage to break its own national record for the most people playing guitar together, and organisers are determined to raise money for local charities next year.

Event organiser Geoff Baker, said: "Sadly we didn't make a profit this year and in fact, we made rather a substantial loss that we will have to swallow.

"Frankly, we didn't make enough of a song and dance about it and we didn't promote it early enough. That's a big shame because one of the reasons why we launched Guitars on the Beach was to raise money for local charities.

"In previous years, we've given money to the skatepark, the play park, local cancer charities and others."

Mr Baker has appealed to the council to buy a stage that could be rented out for different events in the town. He said that despite the expensive cost, the authority could be making a profit within two years.

"One reason why we made a loss was the cost of hiring a stage which was more than quite a few thousand pounds," he said.

"I know in the past Cllr Turner and Cllr Reynolds and the town clerk have all expressed favouring the idea of the town buying its own stage, which could then be rented out for events like this, the Big Mix, the Jazz and Blues Festival and many others.

"I understand that these portable stages cost a fair bit, but I've worked out that if the council was to invest in one and to rent it out at £500 a pop, you would be in profit within two years."

Despite the financial problems, Mr Baker insisted that plans are already in place for next year's event, and he is determined to raise money for local good causes.

There are also plans to invite Lyme Regis Mayor Cllr Owen Lovell on stage next year to play Rolling Stones track, Jumping Jack Flash.

"As far as Guitars on the Beach is concerned, we're going to keep on doing it - stage or not," he said.

"We will raise a lot of money for local charities next year, I promise you that.

"I think it would be a sound investment, especially for the pleasure of the mayor to do his Keith Richards spot up there next year."

Lyme Regis Town Council will consider discussing a stage at an upcoming meeting.