Exmouth carnival could fold unless volunteers come forward to help run the event. Organiser Rob Waller has announced he is prepared to step down from the event, saying the carnival is too large for him to run alone.

The future of Exmouth’s carnival could be in jeopardy if new blood fails to come forward to help.

Organiser Rob Waller said he is preparing to step down from organising the event because it is too large for him to continue running.

Pensioner Mr Waller, who has run the event for the last 11 years, said the carnival is a victim of its own success.

He said this year’s shortened route had presented him with a challenge – one he foresaw would continue once the Strand development was complete.

Mr Waller said complaints over marshalling issues - which resulted in the parade ending before it reached the Marine Way roundabout – had forced his hand over resigning.

The organiser said the carnival was likely to fold unless extra help was drafted in.

He said the stress of running this year’s event had affected his health - exacerbating long-running breathing problems.

Mr Waller said: “If Exmouth wants to carry on with the carnival then the people that criticise need to come forward and form a committee.

“We need fresh blood to come down and help run carnival.

“It’s a shame I am going to have to give it up.

“I get tired quickly. I have got breathing problems. On the night my puffers didn’t work – and I have got three of them.

“My wife said ‘that’s it, you are not going to do it anymore’.

“It will be a shame to see it die but it can’t be run again like that - and the route’s got to be looked at.”

Exmouth’s 2010 carnival - costing �6,500 - was the biggest ever staged by the town, with scores of floats, majorettes and entertainment taking more than an hour to pass through the town.

Mr Waller said the procession was forced to end abruptly because of health and safety concerns over separating foot walkers from the floats.

• For more information, or to help, contact Ron Roberts on (01395) 271421.