Cranford Park Summer Fair cancelled

But its co-ordinator Lyn Streather, whose husband Stan founded the fair, claimed the growing amount of red tape combined with a shortage of manpower had forced her to call it a day.

"Over the last few years we have been trying to do more and more with limited resources against a background of ever-growing regulations," said Mrs Streather, of Firs Drive, Cranford.

"Unfortunately, while the event has grown and become successful, financial returns have not kept pace and met expectations.

"We were very concerned that we should risk the hard-won reputation of the event by cutting corners and firmly believe that we should end on the high of last year's event."

As well as the annual dog show and miniature railway, last summer's fair included a historical play performed by local residents.

Commoner to Coronet told the tragic tale of one of the park's former residents Mary Cole, a humble butcher's daughter who was tricked into marrying the notorious Earl of Berkeley.

Mrs Streather thanked all the volunteers who had made the fair such a success over the years and said she hoped to organise a number of smaller events in its place.

The fair has helped raise thousands of pounds over the years for restoration work at the park's historic St Dunstan's Church.