FED-UP volunteers have warned East Lothian Council that community events could fall by the wayside unless they are given more help.

The volunteers behind events such as Haddington’s fireworks and festive programme have hit out at the amount of paperwork they now face.

And they have warned the plug could be pulled unless greater assistance is offered.

Former community councillors Pat Lemmon and Lorraine Dickson – members of Haddington Events Group, which organises various events in the town, including the Christmas lights – attended a recent meeting of Haddington’s community council and aired their concerns.

Mrs Lemmon said: “I think what we are trying to say here is if we do not get the help back from East Lothian Council that we put into Haddington we are getting ready to walk away.”

Concerns were raised about the introduction of a safety advisory group within East Lothian Council. Mrs Dickson and Mrs Lemmon highlighted that volunteers were being forced to find more time to complete various pieces of paperwork to ensure events went ahead.

Mrs Dickson added: “Every step of the way, another hurdle is thrown in the way.”

Jan Wilson, community council chairwoman, also highlighted issues the community council faced when organising the town’s Armistice earlier this month.

The problem has been echoed by other community groups.

Last Month Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council was forced to cancel its popular free fireworks display because of additional paperwork.

READ MORE: Fireworks cancelled after rules change

Ward councillors John McMillan and Tom Trotter were both at the meeting in Haddington.

Mr McMillan said it was important that both the council and voluntary organisations worked together.

Mr Trotter said: “Everybody appreciates what you are doing. There is a lot going on in Haddington and heaven forbid anything happens that would affect that.”

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council said they would be reaching out to groups in the New Year with advice on planning events.

She added: “The East Lothian Safety Advisory Group (SAG) process is a multi-agency approach towards ensuring that organisers of events plan for and then implement their processes in a manner that is safe for everybody.

“It negates the need for the organiser to have multiple conversations and meetings with various agencies and departments.

“However, this approach also requires the event organisers to have appropriately planned their event and considered all relevant safety aspects.”