OLD and young alike, the people of Stanhope and Wolsingham look forward to the day when the fair trundles into their market place.

But now modern day traffic problems are threatening a 600-year-old tradition because nobody can agree who should foot a £1,000 bill in each community for lights and barriers, demanded by safety experts.

With both parish councils saying they cannot afford to pay, Durham County Council is trying to arrange meetings during the next few days to come up with a funding package to end the stalemate.

Wolsingham has offered fairground operators a rent-free weekend if they will meet the cost.

Stanhope Parish Council chairman Mark Oliphant insists they have no financial or legal obligation, saying: "The parish has no involvement whatsoever in the organisation or ownership or use of the public highway. It is the responsibility of Durham County Council."

Stanhope residents all want the fair to go ahead.

Carol Pattillo, landlady of the Pack Horse Inn, in Stanhope Market Place, said: "There has never been any problem, but it is an accident waiting to happen. Last year, a young girl ran out in front of a car. She wasn't hurt but it could have been a lot worse.

"I wouldn't like to think the fair would stop for the sake of a set of traffic lights. If it means everybody putting something towards it then we should get together and do it.

"Everybody loves the fair. They look forward to it all year, especially the kids."

Simon Tweddle, 19, said: "I think the fair should go on. It would be a shame if it was stopped. I have always come to see it since I was little.

"If a set of traffic lights is all that is stopping it, Durham County Council should pay for it."

Lisa Adamson, mother of two-year-old Jasmine Newton, said: "I agree that we need traffic lights, especially for the Saturday night when you can't move on the street.

"The stallholders should pay for them, not the businesses in Stanhope because it is nothing to do with them.

"I don't mind the show being cancelled but I would hate to miss the fair. People don't just come from Stanhope, they come from all over the area."