ILMINSTER Carnival Committee has split £3,400 raised from its collection between 25 local charities.

A donation evening was held at the Shrubbery Hotel to hand over the hard-earned cheques.

The lucky organisations were: Cousins CC, Gemini CC, Harlequin CC, Horseshoes and Handprints, Ilminster fire station, Ilminster Lions, Ilminster Scout Group, Ilminster Young Farmers, Ilminster Youth Football Club, Judy Williams, Lily Cumming, Lorna Stephenson, Lucy – May and Owen, One Plus One CC, Rascals CC, Shepton Beauchamp Primary School, St John’s Ambulance, St Mary’s Pre- School, South Somerset Scout Active Support, Sunny Ile Pre-School, Trojan Twirlers, Thomas and Joseph Sainsbury, Vaughan Lee House, Westonzoyland CC and Xtreme CC.

Committee member Gemma Champion said: “This year, for a first, we gave away to the local Ilminster carnival clubs – both floats and walkers.

“We felt we had a good collection and wanted to show our support to the clubs. We would also like to thank people for their support and, hopefully, for this year again.”

The committee’s next fundraising event will be an Elvis-themed Valentine’s night at the Shrubbery Hotel from 8.30pm on Saturday, February 15.

For further details, call Mel on 01460-52608 or 07841-348455.