A FALL in visitor numbers over the last few years has led to the cancellation of a long-running gala in a former mining town.

The Ferryhill Town Gala used to bring thousands of visitors in to the town to enjoy a host of family based attractions based around the market place.

The event is usually held in August but over the last five years the number of people attending the gala has dropped.

This has led to the Ferryhill 2000 Committee which organises the town gala deciding to cancel the event meaning last year’s will be the final one.

Derek Snowball, clerk to Ferryhill Town Council, said: “The organisers wanted to keep it going as it was something that families could enjoy.

“The problem was that the falling visitor numbers didn’t make it worthwhile. Unfortunately it was not well attended and so it has gone.

“Now it is planned to try to arrange a number of smaller events to be held throughout the year at locations round the town.”

Visitors to the two day town gala could enjoy fun fair rides, art and photography exhibitions and music by Ferryhill Town Band.

Live stage acts and shows plus climbing towers and stalls also used to draw in visitors from across the North-East.

The town council is being asked to consider a request from Turner’s Funfair to allow it to host an event.

It is proposed to place fairground rides in the market place, at Ferryhill, on Saturday, 15, and Sunday, 16, August.

The council is to consider the request from Turner’s Funfair at its next meeting on Wednesday (January 28).