Schools, sports groups, churches and charities are among more than 30 organisations picked to hold collections at car boot sales in Bedale from Saturday, March 11.

Every year Bedale Town Council helps local charities and groups raise thousands of pounds towards their operations through the ever-popular Bedale car boot sale, which is held every Saturday in the grounds of the town’s hall park.

The annual draw of groups which apply to help run the event was held at a Bedale Town Council meeting. The organisations collect entrance fees from sellers attending the event and can hold charity collections on the gates in return for keeping the park tidy and ensuring the sale runs smoothly.

The sales have become so popular sellers and buyers come from all over the North of England. Sales start at 6am and finish around noon. Charges this year will be £10 per car and £15 per van, or for any vehicle with a trailer.

The groups and organisations drawn to hold events are as follows: Dales Centre, March 11; Bedale Community Library, March 18; Bedale Belles WI, March 25; Kirkby Fleetham C of E Primary School, April 1; Bedale Fire Station - North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, April 8; Bedale Bowling Green Society, April 15; Friends of Crakehall School, April 22; St John the Baptist Church, Leeming, April 29; St Gregory’s Church (AND Murphy's funfairs), May 6; St Mary’s Church, Thornton Watlass, May 13; Bedale Junior Football Club, May 20; Bedale Cricket Club, May 27; Bedale AFC, June 3; Bedale and the Dales Croquet Club, June 10; Aiskew Under Fives Pre-School, June 17; Wythit WI, Bedale, June 24; Bedale Hall, July 1; Bedale Band, July 8; RAFA RAF Leeming and Bedale branch, July 15; Bedale C of E Primary School FSG, July 22; St Michael’s Church Kirklington, July 29; Bedale Squash & Racketball Club, August 5; Bedale Station Group Bedale railway station, August 12; Bedale community minibus, 19 or 26; Rock The Town music festival, to be confirmed, August 26 or 19; Bedale & District Methodist Church, September 2; Bedale Royal British Legion, September 9; Bedale Scouts and Guides Community Events, September 16; Friends of Burneston School, FOBS, September 23; Bedale Badminton Club, September 30; Bedale Tennis Club, October 7; Bedale and Aiskew Runners, October 14.

The town council said the sales are only ever cancelled as a last resort. A spokesperson added: “If the weather is not looking good, the decision whether or not the sale goes ahead is made by the sale supervisor in the small hours of the morning of the sale. We do not like to disappoint anyone and sales are only cancelled because of heavy rain or high winds, or because the condition of the park is such as to make it hazardous to bring vehicles onto it.”