ALDERLEY Edge May Fair has been cancelled this year due to new fairground restrictions.

The annual celebration, on the third weekend of May, has been a highlight of the village calendar since it was launched in 2011.

Artisan market stalls, donkey rides, a dog show, clowns, children's rides and live music and entertainment usually attract crowds into the park

However, organisers have pulled the plug on this year’s event as they are unable to meet new regulations in time.

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In a post on social media, the organising committee said: "Regrettably, the Alderley Edge May Fair will not be taking place in 2024.

“Some new restrictions covering the use of the park have been introduced by the authorities, and this will require more infrastructure and planning.

“As a committee of volunteers, we do not have the time and resources to organise the fair in May, so we are concentrating on 2025.

“Thank you for your support."

May Fair organisers have been informed that events which are not predominantly organised as a fairground and wish to include fairground rides are limited to two small rides.

Events that include more than two fairground rides require a separate planning application, one for the main event and one for the fairground itself.

Vehicles over 7.5 tonnes require trackway over grassed areas.

Committee chairman Paul Marshall said: "I have been speaking with the fairground operator and traders and the view of the committee is that it would be a different event without the biggest fairground rides.

"Hopefully, with a longer time to plan the event we can come up with the funds to pay for the trackway, and make the application well in advance so that we are sure that the fairground can be included in 2025."