THE planned visit to Thirsk of Sinn Fein president Mr Gerry Adams has been cancelled following hostile reaction from local dignitaries and residents.

Mr Adams had been invited to give a lecture in Thirsk town hall next Friday by the Joan Maynard memorial lecture committee. The lecture will now take place in Middlesbrough.

When Mr Adams' visit to Thirsk was announced on Tuesday, reaction in the town was unfavourable.

Vale of York Conservative MP Miss Anne McIntosh spoke out strongly, as did Thirsk Town Council vice-chairman, Coun Andy Robinson.

Miss McIntosh said: "I had a flood of complaints about an invitation and platform being given to the head of the known political arm of a terrorist organisation.

"This invitation was misplaced and very badly timed. It was deeply regrettable when all political parties are united against terrorism. This fights starts at home."

Coun Robinson had warned there would be ill-feeling and that local people would be very much against the visit.

Although the organisers planned to have stewards on hand, and the police had been consulted about the arrangements, he said he had expected demonstrations from people who felt very strongly about the issue.

The local committee which runs the town hall shared by Thirsk and Sowerby councils had called an emergency meeting last night to discuss the event.

But yesterday morning the organisers announced that the lecture had been moved to the Centre for the Unemployed in Middlesborough.

Coun Don Cartridge, a member of Sowerby council and the lecture's organising committee: "There was never any intention to offend or hurt particularly families involved in the troubles in Northern Ireland."

He added the event had been in the planning since last March and before the terrorist attacks in the US.

"The committee regrets that some local people will now be denied the opportunity to hear at first hand the views of someone so centrally involved in the peace process and of such political stature."

The committee would contact those who had applied for tickets, advising them of the change of venue or offering a refund.

Inquiries regarding tickets should be directed to Mr Bob Duffy at the Middlesborough centre on 01642 244200.

Miss Maynard lived in Sowerby and was a local councillor for many years, as well as Labour MP for Sheffield Brightside for 13 years. She died of cancer in 1998, aged 76.