A CITY'S mayor has accused a mini children's fair of spoiling the area's chances in the Britain in Bloom competition.

Ripon's market place had looked its best with hanging baskets and flower tubs ready for the arrival of the national competition judges earlier this year.

But when a busking festival and mini children's fair moved into the area at the weekend, the city's mayor, Councillor David Parnaby, saw red and called for its swift removal.

He said the event was detracting from Ripon's floral glory.

Coun Parnaby said hours of work had gone into getting Ripon ready for judging only for its floral splendour to be partly obscured by the event.

The mayor said he had "seen red and orange" over the issue and had expressed his anger to Ripon City Partnership, which promoted the busking event and children's attractions.

But the chairman of the partnership, County Councillor Bernard Bateman, said it had never been the intention for the attraction to stay on the market place when the Britain in Bloom judges visited to inspect the flowers.

He also said the event had ended the day before the judges' arrival. He went on to say the event had been a roaring success.

Ripon Market Square events are managed by the partnership on behalf of Harrogate Borough Council.