MORE local organisations than ever have benefited from Portishead carnival this year.

Thousands-of-pounds have been handed to more than 20 deserving charities and community groups by carnival organisers Wendy Watkins and Jemma Cooper.

Wendy said: “I feel really proud that we’ve given to so many groups this year, especially as due to the weather there was a point when I wondered if anybody would be coming to the carnival, let alone the event make a profit.”

Those who benefitted from the profits include Portishead Youth Centre’s Angel Appeal, the annual Senior Citizens’ Supper, Portishead Air Cadets 2494 Squadron, Portishead Christmas lights, Springboard Opportunity Group and Portishead in Bloom.

As well as giving funds to charities and community groups, the carnival committee has already set aside deposits to secure live bands for next year’s event and allocated funds for essentials to get the ball rolling for 2012.

Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the carnival operating under the wings of Wendy and Jemma who refused to let the event fold in 2002 when the previous organisers said they could no longer run it.

Over the past decade Portishead carnival has seen a street parade of half a dozen floats rise to a procession of more than 30 entries.

The 2012 carnival will take place on June 16.

Here is the full list of beneficiaries from this year’s event:

Portishead Youth Centre - Angel Appeal

Portishead Golden Oldies Singing Group

Portishead Old Folks Supper

Portishead Christmas Lights

Portishead In Bloom

Portishead Air Cadets 2494 Squadron

The Friends Of Bristol Heamatology & Oncology

Portishead Town Football Club

Gordano Rugby Club Lights Appeal in memory of Jimmy Gilmore

Portishead Lifeboat

Portishead First Responders

Wessex 4x4 response vehicles

Highdown Infants School PTA

Gordano School PTA

Portishead Rotary Club

The Lions Club of Portishead

Jubilee Day Care Centre

Royal British Legion (Somerset Riders)

North Somerset Caring Group

Springboard Opportunity Group