BURNHAM’S Hillview Carnival Club will take part in this year’s processions despite donations dropping by half, its chairman has promised.

The club needs around £12,000 each year to enter the Carnival circuit in November, but it has only raised between £5,000 and £6,000 so far.

But chairman Mark Bishop said members will just have to be more creative to make ends meet.

He said: “We have always had great support from the people of Burnham but people are obviously struggling with the recession and it’s just a sign of the times.

“It’s very difficult to raise the money but we will try other ways and we hope that people will support it.

“We will definitely be taking part in this year’s Carnival. The building is going well despite a reduced budget.”

The club is struggling because there is no Glastonbury Festival this year, where members are usually paid to marshal the event. Also, the team used to get money for watering hanging baskets in Burnham but the council has not installed them this year.

Mark said they were now hoping to steward other events to raise money and carry out bag packing at supermarkets.

The team is holding a fundraising ladies’ night at the Oaktree Arena in Edithmead this Saturday (June 16) from 7pm.

The club will be holding a series of fundraising events this summer.