WHEN police and council officials voiced doubts about the future of a County Durham town's funfair, it looked as though the days of dodgems, bingo and hoopla stalls were numbered.

But the event has received an amazing royal reprieve thanks to Queen Victoria, 100 years after her death.

With just one short hiatus shortly after the English Civil War, a street fair has been held in Stanhope since the 14th Century.

Timed to coincide with the town's popular agricultural show on the second weekend of September, showmen throughout the region converge on the market place and main street with their colourful stalls and rides.

But the popularity of the fair - which attracts more than 10,000 people to the Weardale town - prompted police chiefs to express road safety fears.

Now, after years lying forgotten in a solicitor's dusty cellar, a royal decree has come to light, which grants Stanhope the right to hold a street fair in perpetuity.

Bearing the official seal of Queen Victoria, the 155-year-old 3ft by 2ft vellum manuscript, hand-crafted from calfskin, was found by accident when an antiques dealer cleared out the old cellar.

Local historians say that the royal decree safeguards the fair's future for all time.

Even worse news for opponents of the event is the revelation that the licence grants permission for two such events a year, in April and September.

And anyone who seeks to ban it runs the risk of being tried for high treason - a crime against the Queen which still carries the death penalty.

Last night, police and council legal officials were preparing to examine the parchment before announcing their next move.

Officials agreed they had concerns about road safety but denied that they planned to ban the event.

A spokesman for Durham County Council said: "Both the highways authority and the police have strong concerns about public safety in Stanhope during the event."

Both he and a police spokeswoman said they would be looking at the legal implications of the royal licence.

Mark Oliphant, chairman of Stanhope Parish Council, said the fair was an important feature of the dales. "The authorities are trying to wash their hands of any extra costs involved in traffic control. It would be a shame if it is stopped because of that."

The document is due to be sold by auctioneers Dominic Winter Book, in Wiltshire, on Wednesday.

Documents expert Richard Westwood-Brooks said he expected it to fetch far more than the original estimate of £200.

"As with all our lots, an item is worth more if there is a lot of interest in it. Judging by the inquiries about this document I think it could easily fetch a four-figure sum."

He said the licence had been granted to a pair of showmen, George Crawhall and Joseph Beck, who petitioned the Queen to allow two street fairs a year and a weekly cattle mart. The decree superseded an earlier warrant signed by George III.

Local historians have set their heart on the unusual find. June Crosby, of the Weardale Society, said: "If we get it, the intention would be to present it to the parish of Stanhope. I had a chat with the parish council chairman and he told me they'd been wondering where it had gone, because they knew there was a charter, but didn't know what had happened to it.

"There should be two other charters somewhere, but goodness knows where they are."

* Do you know where the other royal warrants may be hidden? If so, contact Emily Flanagan on (01388) 602232