DESPITE much confusion over a sign, a well-loved car boot sale will return after Easter.

West Bay’s popular car boot sale at the West Bay Road car park will start on April 28, the first Sunday after Easter.

The correct date was published in the Bridport News on March 7, but an outdated sign hanging up at the car park - stating the car boot will return the Sunday before Easter - has created uncertainty amongst the public.

The later date is to ensure the car park is available to visitors over the Easter period.

Bridport Town Council clerk, Will Austin, said: “The slightly later than usual start date was agreed in response to concerns from local businesses about parking spaces available during the Easter period, especially with part of the East Beach Car Park unavailable during the coastal defence works.  The start date has only been agreed for this year, and councillors will be mindful of the disappointment this has caused when deciding what to do from 2020.”

Bridport Town Council stepped in to save the car boot sale last year when West Dorset District Council (WDDC) no longer wanted to run it.

It was cancelled mid-season in 2018 when landowner WDDC closed the car park for resurfacing work and launched a consultation into whether or not the event should return and continue at the same location once they were complete.

There was an outcry over the decision to close the car park and prevent the car boot sale from taking place for 13 weeks during season.

The consultation saw overwhelming support of the car boot sale, which raises thousands of pounds every year for local charities and good causes.

Bridport Town Council stepped in and took over the running of the event on a trial basis, and later committed itself to taking over the management permanently.

In 2018, community groups across Bridport received a share of £25,000 generated by the car boot in West Bay combined with one in Dorchester. The fund, distributed annually, goes to organisations in and around West Bay and Bridport to benefit projects operating or supporting residents living in these areas.