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Shock as Tram Sunday is axed
IT'S the end of the line for Fleetwood's Tram Sunday.
Organisers today sent shockwaves across the Fylde coast by cancelling next year's 25th anniversary event.
The popular spectacle draws more than 40,000 visitors to the port every year.
But directors of Fleetwood Transport Festival Ltd said they can no longer safely put on the massive event due to a lack of volunteers.
The six core members of the group – chairman Keith Yates, director Alan Chenery, life presidents David Hutton and Ian Johnstone, secretary Yvonne Johnstone and vehicle preserve collector David Hunt – say while interest from visitors and exhibitors has increased, support for planning and organising the event has "dwindled dramatically".
Mr Yates said: "We are genuinely so saddened it can't continue.
"We love Fleetwood and the people – we get a buzz from seeing families together enjoying themselves and it's a massive boost for the town and its economy.
"But it's such a big event and there are too few of us. Lots of people want to help on the day, but there are just a handful of us trying to organise it throughout the year."
With vintage and special interest vehicles of all ages and types on display along Lord Street, the annual festival is regarded as one of the major transport events in the North.
Organisers cite "increased bureaucracy, especially Health and Safety legislation", spiralling costs and lack of funding as reasons behind the cancellation of next July's festival.
Last year Tram Sunday cost 11,000 with most of the cash being raised through fundraising and Wyre Council donating 1,600.
Wyre Council leader Coun Russ Forsyth said he would meet with the organisers to try to help.
He added: "Tram Sunday has been an important part of Fleetwood life for many years and I am deeply disappointed to hear it may not continue.
Joan Humble, Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP, also offered to help the organisers recruit more volunteers.
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Weather for Blackpool
Sunday 27 May 2012
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Temperature: 14 C to 27 C
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