DURHAM City Council has pulled the plug on the city's annual autumn horticultural show.

The Liberal Democrat-controlled council, said the event, established in 1974, was attracting fewer entrants and was also costing too much.

Instead, it plans to offer grants to smaller shows in villages around the area.

The council's cabinet heard last night that there were parking problems with city centre venues, one exhibitor's continued dominance in some sections was discouraging entries, and that the event exceeded its budget.

Community services director David Marrs said in a report that entries had fallen from 514 in 2000 to 464 last year and that the last show, held in the Gala Theatre, cost £6,609 against a budget of £5,000.

It attracted 60 exhibitors and 1,050 visitors over the two days.

Mr Marrs said that the budget would need to be "significantly increased" for the show - which raises money for the Mayor's Appeal - to continue.

The money and staff time devoted to the event could go into other aspects of the council's work.

Labour group leader David Bell said: "It is very disappointing. We are going to cut provision and a service that would have been coming up to 30 years this year.

"Many of the people who took part were local people who didn't want to go to the big exhibitions but just wanted to show their produce locally.''

Council deputy leader Grenville Holland said although he had a strong sentimental attachment to the event, the council was faced with some stark figures.

Cabinet colleague Carol Woods said that giving money to smaller shows "would be a positive move to revitalise the shows and add to community spirit".