TWO iconic events have been scrapped from this year’s Dawlish Celebrates Carnival due to South West Water’s extensive work in the town.

It’s A Knockout, which has been run for more than 50 years, and the Pram Race, one of only a few such events in the country, will not be part of this summer’s carnival line-up, it has been announced.

Work on the multi-million SWW scheme to improve water quality is expected to start in May.

But the massive project will curtail the amount of space available for this year’s carnival on the Lawn and not allow room for an arena.

Organisers have spent months trying to put together a week of events, working around the reduced space available.

The SWW work will take over much of the Lawn where a 45metre deep water storage tank is to be situated.

A spokesman for Dawlish Celebrates Carnival said: ‘Carnival will be a lot different in 2025 as much of the Lawn won’t be available.

‘We will just have the back Lawn, the Bandstand, the tarmac area and six metres beyond the tarmac area.

‘The only stall space will be on this area and alongside the hoarding that will be in place so there will not be stalls at the piazza as in previous years.

‘This means it has affected what can be put on as there will be no arena space on the Lawn.

‘The committee has decided they wanted to make sure there was a carnival this year so has had to look in detail at what can and cannot be put on.

‘We know it’s not the same but the committee 100 per cent agree this is better than a total cancellation.’

The team has looked at other spaces to potentially hold the Pram Race and It’s A Knockout but the number of logistical requirements for both events has meant it is impossible.

Instead there will be an afternoon of beach activities including raft races and a fancy dress walk in the sea

A day of children’s activities will take place at Manor Gardens.

A new Pub Challenge will be a walking event between pubs with teams doing challenges inside.

The spokesman added: ‘The committee appreciates South West Water and Amplify are fully supportive of the carnival and are working with the committee to make the event a success.’

There will still be a marquee, the parade and lots of other activities around the Lawn.

This year’s carnival will run from Saturday August 9 to Friday August 15.

Pre-carnival events are also planned in the run up to the main week.

These will include a classic bike and car show on July 20 on the Lawn and along the Strand.

On June 1, there will be celebration of dogs at Warren Farm and an event with the LVA at the Swan Inn on May 18.