A VILLAGE'S annual fancy dress procession and fell race have been cancelled because it would cost too much to close roads under new safety regulations.

Officials were startled when they were told they would have to pay nearly £1,000 to have two roads blocked off for the parade and race, at Romaldkirk Fair, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

Now fancy dress entrants will have to be taken straight to the judging point by their parents, on Saturday, August 20, instead of walking in a procession for about 200 yards.

The fell race, which usually attracts about 16 competitors, has been called off because there is no access to open country without crossing roads.

The procession and fell race have been features of the fair for more than 20 years. There was a break before that but a procession was held for many years in the 1920s and 30s.

Tom Vlaming, chairman of the fair committee, said yesterday: "It is very unfortunate that these two features, which were popular for many years, have been ruled out this time.

"There never seemed to be any question of danger in the past, but the new regulations have made them impossible.

"A lot of local residents are annoyed about it. The young ones always loved the procession."

The decision to cancel was taken after the road closures were requested by the Teesdale Safety Advisory Group, which is made up of officials from Teesdale District Council, Durham County Council, police and other emergency services.

A spokesman for Teesdale council said yesterday: "Requests for road closures are made on the recommendation of police and county highways officials.

"It is done purely on the grounds of public safety, as part of national legislation."

Other carnivals in the area have had to pay for road closures or find new procession routes which do not involve public roads.

In the past, police closed roads informally for short spells while parades were held.

Mr Vlaming said: "Organised walks arranged through the county council still use stret-ches of road, although up to 60 people take part.

"They seem to me to be more dangerous than a fancy dress walk by up to 20 children inside a village, or a race by about 16 runners who go in single file. We could not afford to hand over all that money."

But he said two new attractions - a tea stop for up to 30 cars in a classic Rover rally and a scarecrow display depicting village life - will help to make up for the loss.

There will also be stalls, games, teas, children's sports, a steam engine and balloon race.