WORCESTER Carnival looks set to ride through the city once again as a dedicated band of organisers plan to bring it back for 2015.

The original carnival ran for decades and during its heyday would see thousands of people line the streets to watch dozens of floats from businesses, community and leisure groups.

However, it came to a grinding halt in 2001, when the centre-piece parade was cancelled because of a lack of interest.

The organisers of the 2015 return are confident there is enough enthusiasm in the city to bring it back and, with a few tweaks to the original event, could prove just as popular as it was at its height.

Plans are at the early stages but organisers Malvin Hobbs, Natalie Ballard, from Kissed Off Creations, and Lisa Ventura are hoping to get a committee together and have organised a public meeting.

Already a Facebook page has received over 350 'likes' in 24 hours with businesses and community groups registering their interest to get involved.

Mr Hobbs, from Events Xcellence, helped to organise this year's Malvern Carnival and Hat Festival.

He said: "The carnival is a chance to bring all different people together as a community as well as businesses.

"It's bringing back the same kind of community spirit we saw when then the Olympic Torch came through the city in 2012.

"The Olympics were four weeks of bliss because it brought communities together and the carnival will also bring people together.

"People will turn out with their families and communities and everyone will have the chance to get together as one and be happy.

"What we really need now is for people to get behind us - come along to the public meeting, we need businesses to offer sponsorship and groups to let us know they would be interested in being involved."

While the original floats would be brought back and follow a similar route which begins and ends at Pitchcroft, the organisers would also like to see walking groups putting on displays and will launch a search for a carnival kind and queen.

They hope to bring it back annually and would like to see it grow to a weekend of activities run in the summer before schools break up so they can take part.

A spokeswoman from Worcester City Council said if it was something an individual group wanted to set up they would not want to get in the way but it did not have the resources to take a lead role.

Councillor Lynn Denham, Cathedral ward, said she had fond memories of the carnival in its heyday.

"In its heyday it was a big community event which lots of families enjoyed.

"If there is a group of people looking to organise it, it would be nice to see something return but it could collaborate with other events we have going on in the city."

Mrs Ventura, from Ventura PR and Marketing, said the Facebook page had seen a lot of people writing to say they looked forward to its return.

"We have had a lot of people saying "Please bring it back because I remember it as a child and would love to take my children to it" which is fantastic.

"If people can get in touch with us to let us know they are coming to the public meeting, that would be great.

"We would also like to talk to anyone involved with the original carnival."

The public meeting will take place at Bindles, Sidbury, Worcester, on Tuesday, September 23 from 7pm.

Anyone interested in attending he meeting or who would like to become involved with the carnival or its sponsorship should email support@worcestercarnival.co.uk.

Alternatively, call 01905 560207 or 439764 or log on to facebook.com/worcestercarnivalreturn.