Late cancellation for Halloween festival

Plans for a fireworks display have been abandoned

Thousands of people missed out on Halloween celebrations after the cancellation of a two-day event in Prestatyn, north Wales.

Organisers have said up to 2,000 people would have attended the festival, which was to have featured fireworks and a fancy dress competition.

We have lost a great number of friends over this

CD Carnivals proprietor Christopher David O'Hanlon

The event, which was to raise money to redevelop a local cinema, the Scala, was due to start on Thursday.

But Rhyl-based firm CD Carnivals called it off on Wednesday, saying it was still waiting for all the necessary permits to hold the event.

The company said it had recommended calling the event off earlier in the month.

However, the cancellation has infuriated the Friends of the Scala, who had been involved with promoting the event for months.

Sandra Pitt, chairwoman of the Friends of the Scala, said CD Carnivals had let the children of Prestatyn down.

"It would have been a wonderful event and would have been fantastic for the town," she said.

Money was to be raised for the Scala cinema

But CD Carnivals proprietor Christopher David O'Hanlon said it was unfair to blame his firm.

"We regret to have to take this course of action and we apologise for any inconvenience caused."

"We have lost a great number of friends over this - a lot of people have vowed never to come to our events," he added.

Denbighshire council refused to allow a bonfire on health and safety grounds.

A spokesman said the reason the decision was made so late was because the council only recieved the relevant paperwork on Wednesday morning.

On Thursday, representatives from both the Friends of the Scala and CD Carnivals were putting up posters to tell people the event was cancelled.

Cancelled posters

The festivities were due to start with a grand opening by the mayor of Prestatyn, followed by a torch-light parade.

A car boot sale, a funfair, a karaoke competition and fireworks were due to be held on the Friday.

To tie in with the festival, a fancy dress competition for the best-dressed window were organised and guided ghostly walks were also organised - both will still go ahead.

Over half of the profits from the event were to be put towards the rebuilding of the Scala cinema, which is being developed into an arts centre and cinema.