ORGANISERS of an annual village fair have been forced to scrap the popular parade that kickstarts the event.

Sedgefield Community Association has cancelled the traditional procession of musicians and decorated floats at this year's Sedgefield Medieval Fair because of increasing road closure costs.

Instead, there will be a parade on foot around the village centre to the green, where groups can perform a tableau or presentation.

Volunteers who run the event say they could not afford to spend more than £1,000 hiring a private company to close roads along the usual route. The change will also mean parade regulars Cleveland Police Band and re-enactment group The Knights of the Black Phoenix are unlikely to take part.

The event will be held on Sunday, May 14, and town Mayor Maxine Robinson is urging residents and visitors to support the event despite the change.

She said: "We are bitterly disappointed to have to do this. We've tried the last two years but there were problems and the money it costs is almost 20 per cent of the profits made from the event, which goes to supporting about 40 local organisations.

"We really hope people still support the 36th Sedgefield Medieval Fair by taking part or turning up and making it a great day.

"Volunteers will be needed more than ever to make door-to-door collections in the week before the fair and to help set up and mind the stalls."

To get involved, contact Ms Robinson on (01740) 620042.