THE Cotswold Olimpick Games is appealing for volunteers after its chairman "could not guarantee" that the event will go ahead this year.

The event, which has run for nearly 400 years was suspended last year due to a lack of funds and volunteers.

The Cotswold Olimpicks is a traditional Spring festival held on the Friday after Whit Sunday on the edge of Chipping Campden.

Tom Threadgill, the chairman of the games said that he was hopeful that it could go ahead this year.

He said: "We are hopeful it will go ahead this year, but I cannot guarantee it.

"We have been very busy fundraising as it is going to take £25,000 to revamp the games, which will safeguard it for future years not just for this year.

"We need to change elements and modernise, whilst keeping some of the traditions that the games have had for 400 years.

"If there is not something new every year people will get bored, and I think this is what has happened previously.

"We have had great help from volunteers, but we do still need more.

"The website and Facebook pages are much more active now, which is what we need to do to get people interested.

"If you want to help volunteer there are details on the website of how to do so."

The games are due to be held on Friday June 1 at Dover's Hill.

The history of the games is traced back to 1612 when Robert Dover gave his name to a set of games, festivities and general merriment on the edge of the Cotswold escarpment which would later bear his name, Dover's Hill.

The games feature a number of whacky Cotswold sports, including shin kicking.

To volunteer, visit olimpickgames.co.uk/volunteers or email chairman@olimpickgames.co.uk