A LAST ditch attempt is being made to save the traditional Largs Yuletide event from the scrapheap .

Ian Murdoch, chair of the Largs Events committee, has called an emergency meeting on Thursday after it emerged there isn't enough volunteers to stage the annual spectacular.

He has put out a strong plea to the public, businesses and their staff, and the community in general to attend and find a way to stop Christmas being cancelled.

It is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the Largs calendar with shops open until 9pm, street performers, stalls and live music to entertain revellers.

Local groups such as Largs Rotary, Largs Thistle, the RNLI and Largs Rock Choir also attend in what is seen as the traditional curtain-raiser to the festive season.

Mr Murdoch said: "At the moment, we don't have a strong enough committee to run Yuletide.

"Who is going to organise it? Who is run it? Who is going to help on the day? How do we pay for it?

"We can't answer any of those questions. "I would urge everyone who can help on the committee or as a volunteer to come along, while we also need the business community to come together and keep the traditional night alive."

As well as a lack of manpower, Mr Murdoch says the event is also lacking in sponsorship and funding.

During the past year, Largs Events has run Yuletide and the Largs Live music festival from cash reserves, which have now been used.

Ian said: "We need people to help find sponsorship and to fundraise.

"Even the main logistics of putting Yuletide on during the day in Largs requires a strong team of volunteers - and at the moment we don't have that.

"Lots of people criticise these events on social media but these events don't just magically happen.

"Unless we have more people come forward urgently, it is going to be impossible to do.

"Even if people can't make the meeting, they can telephone me personally on 07944 722027."

The Largs Yuletide night has been running since the 1980s and was organised for many years by Marlyn Green from her former Greetings Shop.

It was then run by the Largs BID business group before being taken over by Largs Events for the first time last year. They brought a snow globe to Gallowgate Square and returned the evening to a more traditional feel, with carol singing and street entertainment.

It includes a Santa's parade through the town centre, as well as Santa's Grotto.

When it was run by the Largs BID business group, it had other events including fireworks, Santa Fun Run and an open top bus for Abby Kane after she won a silver medal in swimming in the Paralympics.

For only the second time in its history, last year's Yuletide event was moved to a Wednesday night to avoid a clash with the Largs Players' panto. It always takes place during the first week of December.

The summit to save the big Christmas extravaganza takes place at Largs Library on October 24 and starts at 7pm.