VOLUNTEERS at Wellington Park are hoping to drum up support to repair the crumbling bandstand.

The feature, which is well used during the summer months, has several cracks and is starting to leak.

Now, it is feared popular family events such as the Sunday concerts may be affected due to the state of the bandstand.

Pauline Sturgess, chairman of Friends of Wellington Park, said: “The thing that saddens me about the park is the state of the bandstand, which is deteriorating rapidly.

“It has got to the stage where we are having to take things back to our own homes for fear of it getting waterlogged.

“It is a shame because it is a prominent feature and if it is going to rack and ruin we would not be able to have bands playing for fear of them falling through the floor or something.”

The bandstand is in its original position in the Edwardian park, which is grade II listed, making it difficult to alter.

The Friends of Wellington Park summer programme is due to start on June 8 and Pauline has her fingers crossed for a dry summer.

She said: “I sincerely hope the state of the bandstand won’t affect the programme but we are hoping to have weather like last year.

“I have mentioned it to the parks department at Taunton Deane Council but I imagine it will come down to the cost and we can’t afford to fund it.

“We have been doing this for a long time and we love what we do so it would be a pity if it all goes down the pan.”

A spokesman for Taunton Deane Council said: “We are aware of the problems and are working with users on we can work together to make improvements.”