Young carol singers in safety ban

A shopping centre has failed to invite Brownies and Guides to a carol-singing event for the first time in 20 years, blaming health and safety.

Managers at The Marlowes Centre in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, said they were worried the 100-strong group would block fire escapes.

Managers said changes made to the centre's decorations meant that there would not be enough space this year.

Guides spokeswoman Gill Oxtoby said the decision was "such a shame".

Ms Oxtoby, divisional commissioner of the West Herts Guides, said: "It is a big event for us.

"Last year we had more than 100 girls and they and the shoppers really enjoyed the singing.

Our priority has to be the safety of people inside the centre Marketing manager Eileen Gannon

"It's such a shame because it's been a long tradition going on for more than 20 years and has allowed the girls to give some service to the community.

"We weren't even told that we couldn't attend. I went to ask what date it was and that's when I found out we were not invited."

The centre has offered to allow 20 girls to sing at the evening event on Tuesday, but Ms Oxtoby said: "We can't do that, it wouldn't be fair to the others."

Centre managers said a new Christmas tree and mobile trade stalls have limited the number of performers the centre can host at one time.

Marketing manager Eileen Gannon said: "With changes made to the centre's Christmas decorations and trade units there simply isn't space for a huge number of performers.

"We're disappointed, but our priority has to be the safety of people inside the centre."

She said the new rules were open to change in the future, as decisions made about decorations in the centre were different each year.