A LONG-RUNNING fun fair which has been taking place for more than one hundred years will not go ahead this year.

Organisers have decided to cancel the Easter Fair at Chingford Plain due to falling attendance.  

Charles Mayne, who has been organising the traditional bank holiday event since 1986, said over the last six years attendance numbers have dropped by about 50 per cent.

Mr Mayne added: “Sadly there will not be an Easter bank holiday fun fair on Chingford Plain this year.

“Unfortunately, there where only three showmen that made an application to operate fun fair equipment on the site.

"The showmen are facing increasing competition from other forms of entertainment and theme parks."

Mr Mayne hopes the fair will return next year if he gets more applications from showmen.

The Easter fair on Wanstead Flats which Mr Mayne also runs will still go ahead, as well as the Spring bank holiday and August bank holiday fairs on the Wanstead site.

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