This man is hoping to breathe new life into a long-running Dorchester event - but he needs your help to do it.

Simon Stewart wants to revamp the former Dorchester Carnival and is calling on residents to step forward and "make a difference" for the town.

The carnival, which was renamed Midsummer Madness for 2018, is a free community event which this year saw thousands flock to the county town to watch the parade and enjoy some live music in the Borough Gardens and Brewery Square.

However this year's chairman, Alistair Chisholm, has decided to step down from the role as he feels he can no longer take on the workload involved in organising the one-day event. The committee struggled to recruit volunteers to help out with the June event this year.

Mr Chisholm said: "I have to feel that what comes out at the end is worth the effort we put into it.

"When last year's committee reflected on what they had done, a carnival in the traditional sense of the word was going to be difficult if not impossible to run. It needs to be completely rethought.

"I don't want to be the last chairman of the committee, I'm glad Simon has expressed an interest."

Mr Stewart said he is well placed to organise the revamped carnival as he runs the Cheese and Chilli Festival which takes place in Christchurch, and elsewhere in the country, during the summer.

He said: "I live in Dorchester so it would be sad to see the event fade away. I'm trying to recruit support from the community.

"At the moment...it is a complete blank slate. We've got an opportunity to make a difference for Dorchester and make a really good event for the town. All it takes is a few people to make that happen.

"I've had so many ideas from people offering to get involved already, but it's too much work for just one or two people. We'd need around 10 people to get it off the ground.

"I do events myself and I have got a good idea of what people want at this kind of show. If anyone wants a say in how the event is constructed, this is their opportunity."

For more information contact Simon on 07776255199.