TRADERS could be missing out on a golden opportunity by not signing up to one of East Cleveland's biggest events.

Organisers of the eighth annual Kirkleatham engine rally believe that traders and craft workers are not interested in having a stall at the event, which takes place next weekend, because they think it is cancelled as a result of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

But more than 250 exhibitors are already lined up and a potential 6,000 people could be flooding through the gates to view the assortment of engines and vehicles on display.

Rally secretary Phil Philo said it was a mystery but vowed that the rally would still go ahead, despite a low turn out in the trade and craft sections.

The rally takes place at the showground, on the outskirts of Redcar, on Saturday, August 11 and Sunday, August 12.

Anyone interested in having a stall should call Mr Philo at the Kirkleatham Museum, on (01642) 479500.