A JUBILEE event may be at risk because parish councillors do not want to see drinking on a village green.

Unless Egglescliffe Parish Council agrees to a licence bid for a bar, the celebration could be abandoned - and some members are strongly against the idea.

Last night councillors were thinking again after being publicly challenged by event organiser, local farmer Simon Smith.

At a well-attended parish assembly on Thursday of last week, he appealed for a rethink.

Mr Smith said many people would be disappointed if the party for the Queen's golden jubilee had to be called off. "I think some councillors fear that if there is a bar there could be trouble, but that is not the case," he said. "This is a community event for families."

The council first considered the request a couple of weeks ago, when Mr Smith asked for public insurance and permission for the landlord of the Pot and Glass to apply for a bar.

Members were first of all worried there could be restrictions on who could attend the sports and games afternoon on June 3, but some councillors were vehemently opposed to the idea of a bar.

"It was felt it would not be suitable," said council clerk, Helen Rennison.

It was agreed that the insurance, probably about £80, would be paid if the event was open to all. But there was no agreement for a bar.

At the assembly, Mr Smith said there was a lot of interest in the party.

"The landlord of the Pot and Glass wants to provide refreshments on the village green and will apply for a licence," he said. "But I understand there is an objection to the possibility of a bar. I want the council to reconsider this."

Council chairman Coun Linda Vernon told him: "We will put it back on the agenda, talk about it and let you know."

Mr Smith told the D&S Times that the event had an historic precedent in that a village green party had been held in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee and similar functions had followed over the years.

"If they won't allow us to get a licence, it is questionable whether the event will go ahead. We want a bar and without that, the whole thing could be scrapped," he said.

"I am surprised the council has taken this line. They want to see a celebration on the green, but some don't like alcohol being consumed in public.

"It could now flop, which would be a shame because people have been stopping me to ask about it and there are many young families in the village who would love this sort of thing."

Coun Vernon would not be drawn on the issue.

"It will have to be put to a vote," she said. "We will talk about it again and hear both sides.