A FESTIVAL due to take place next month that was set to feature a classic car display, a fun fair and live performances has been cancelled due to Covid red tape, insurance costs and staffing issues.

The Festival of Fun was due to take place on Saturday, September 11 at West Bay.

The free event, organised by West Bay Days, would have seen residents and visitors treated to a classic car display, a fun fair, craft stalls, activities and food and drinks.

There would also have been a firework display and live music performances.

But West Bay Days has now announced the event has been cancelled. They cited high costs of event insurance during the pandemic as well as current government guidance and rules for events, which they said would prevent them staging the festival safely and effectively.

James Radcliffe, committee chairman of West Bay Days, said: “We would love to have held one of our most popular days which we know everyone enjoys but unfortunately red tape, Covid 19 safety guidance and significant manning problems for the day has made it impossible to put on.

"We do however still intend on holding our next event which will be The Christmas Tree on the Green in December."

In addition to the planned events for the Festival of Fun, West Bay Days recently published the musical line up for the day, which would have included local musicians such as Nina Garcia, Mama Feelgood, What the Punk, Big Brass Ska and Kharma Alarm D-State.

The West Bay Days Committee is a small group of volunteers whose purpose is to raise money for local causes through worthwhile events in West Bay.

The Festival of Fun was created to put on a fun-filled day in place of West Bay Day's three main fundraising events which also had to be cancelled earlier in the year - the Pirate Day, West Bay Day and Bonfire on the Beach.

West Bay Days' next event will be the annual Christmas Tree on the Green event in December.