TORRENTIAL rain has forced organisers of Haywards Heath Town Week to use their own cash to bail out the event.

Their Proms Night with the Sussex Symphony Orchestra made a loss of more than £2,000, according to published accounts.

A huge downpour throughout the day kept punters away from the open-air event last July.

Organisers have revealed they were forced to contribute £1,440 of their own money to balance the books.

Now Haywards Heath Town Council has offered to increase its £6,000 contribution to Town Week organisers by 50 per cent to £9,000.

Town mayor Coun Lesley Wilkins has appealed for measures, including insurance, to ensure this year's event is not a washout.

But David Turner, a member of the organising committee, said insurance would cost up to £4,500 - half of the council grant money.

He said: "The cost of insurance is prohibitive and we don't think it is worth it."

But he said organisers would apply for a licence to provide up to 800 covered seats.

But he added: "In my view it negates the Proms Night and turns it into a concert. A prom is supposed to be an outside event."

The extra £3,000 is the first increase in town council funding for four years.

Deputy Mayor Coun Jackie Cooper and town clerk Carole Preston have offered to help organise this year's parade event through Haywards Heath town centre.

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