Leek show chopped by rising costs

Increased food and fuel bills are affecting attendance, say organisers

The increased cost of living has led to the cancellation of one of the UK's biggest leek growing competitions.

Since 1980, the "world leek and onions championship" has been held in Ashington, Northumberland, at the Northern Club.

But the smoking ban, credit crunch and increased fuel bills have cut spectator numbers, forcing organisers to scrap the event due to be held in September.

Spokesman Dick Atkinson said the club was not attracting enough spectators.

In recent years, thousands of pounds of prize money has been up for grabs at the Newcastle Breweries-sponsored show.

Beer sales

There has been no shortage of growers bidding for prizes of £1,300 for the best leeks and £1,000 for the heaviest onions.

But the club relied on sponsorship from the brewery to put up the prizes, and with beer sales suffering it could not go on, according to Mr Atkinson, one of the show's organisers.

He said: "We are not getting the business to make it viable. It started off with the smoking ban which is really biting now.

"On top of that there's higher utility bills, higher petrol prices and food costs are up. People just haven't got the money anymore.

"The exhibitors are still supporting the shows but we have not been able to recoup the money through beer sales."

Bob Herbert, an experienced show judge and vice president of the northern branch of the National Vegetable Society, said a lack of young blood also meant many shows were struggling.