BARNOLDSWICK and Earby Round Table (BERT) has made an urgent plea for help from the public in the hope of holding its annual gala next year.

It was announced earlier this year that, because of a lack of volunteers, the 2002 Barnoldswick Gala had been cancelled after 30 years of being staged in the town.

Members of BERT are hoping that the event will not be permanently lost and that people in the area will help bring it back to Barnoldswick in 2003.

The popularity of the gala has not waned, as evidenced by last year's event, which celebrated 100 years of the Round Table.

Thousands of people flocked to Victory Park for the gala and to watch the procession, which covered more of the town centre than ever, despite earlier rumours that the show might have to be cancelled because of foot and mouth.

However, despite that significant success, the workload which precedes every annual event has simply become too demanding for members of the present gala committee.

Vice chairman of BERT Mark Sandamas said: "We are now making a determined attempt to increase our membership.

"We asked early on in the year if anyone could help out but no-one came forward and we had to take the decision to cancel this year's gala.

"We have recently held attention-grabbing events such as a truck driving competition to try and attract more people.

"In a couple of weeks we are hoping to have another campaign and will have our annual general meeting and quiz on June 17.

"If anyone is interested in getting involved I would describe the Round Table as a social club with a community conscience.

"We do quite a lot of work for the community, both hands-on and through fundraising and donations.

"We don't want to say 'no' to the gala forever. We will have a review of the situation and make a decision on next year's event in the autumn."

If anyone is interested in becoming a member of the gala committee, or offering some of their time to planning the programme, they should contact Mr Sandamas on 01282 814738.