DONATIONS to local groups from Dorchester’s weekly car boot sale are about to be decided, but the amount to be paid out will be down on previous years.

Two of the 12 applications for funding have been withdrawn because their events will no longer be taking place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cllr Stella Jones said that of the £18,000 available for donations the joint council committee between the town council and Dorset Council now only has requests for around £11,000.

She told a meeting of the town council on Monday that the remaining money would probably be carried forward to next year when the takings would be considerably less. The Sunday morning car boot has not been held since March.

Cllr Jones said it was not known when the car boot might start again because many people were unsure about buying items from other people’s households.

Dorchester's weekly Wednesday stall market has continued to be held throughout the pandemic with an increase in the number of stalls over recent weeks.