LOCAL organisations have benefited from £6,000 donated by Colyton Carnival Committee.

Last year's carnival raised £7,401, just £400 down on the previous year. The popular carnival market was once again the most successful event, raising £5,130, and while smaller events staged by local organisations on the committee raised a total of £3,815.

At the committee's recent annual general meeting, cheques were donated to this year's chosen projects - £1,200 went towards outdoor play equipment for Colyton Caterpillars pre-school and £800 was donated to Colyton Football Club for a line marker.

A further £4,050 was split between the local organisations which sit on the committee.

Kate Clode from Colyton Caterpillars said: "We were really please to receive some money from Colyton Carnival Committee to buy some new equipment for our garden. Outdoor education is so important to learning in the early years and children thrive in this environment."

The carnival committee's long-standing treasurer Geoff Clode stood down at the AGM after 39 years, with Emma Collier now taking on the role.

Other officers were re-elected as follows: president – Don Hansford, chairman – Stephen Real, vice-chairman – Philip Hartnell, secretary – Caroline Collier, assistant secretaries – Jean Love & Angela Pavey, assistant treasurer – Maureen Clode, royal party organiser – Tammy Chaplyn, bingo organiser – Maureen Clode and helpers.

In line with the East Devon Carnival Circuit, it was also agreed that this year's Colyton Carnival would be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Secretary Caroline Collier said: "As usual, we would like to thank everyone for their support and we are sorry that we have no carnival this year but we decided, in line with the rest of the East Devon circuit and the Bridgwater circuit, that it would not be possible to organise in view of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. We hope to be back next year."