Shropshire Star

Challenge over south Shropshire fair fish prizes ban

A bid to overturn a ban on handing out live goldfish as prizes at a south Shropshire fair could be scuppered, it was revealed today.

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A bid to overturn a ban on handing out live goldfish as prizes at a south Shropshire fair could be scuppered, it was revealed today.

Entertainers want permission to give away the fish at Ludlow's May Fair – a move outlawed two years ago.

But Ludlow Town Councillors are set to stick to their guns, recommending that the ban stay in place.

The practice was banned after a member of the public criticised the tradition in 2010.

It was claimed the image of fair-goers carrying plastic bags of goldfish did nothing for the town's image.

But officials at the Showman's Guild have applied to Ludlow Town Council to once again allow stall holders to stock live fish.

Council clerk, Veronica Calderbank, said: "The issue was discussed at a meeting of the services committee last night and it was recommended to go before the finance and policy committee on Monday.

"The services committee have recommended that goldfish not be given away at the fair."

The council was first prompted into action after the anonymous complaint.

The letter stated: "I think it does nothing for Ludlow's image for adults and children to be walking through the streets swinging small plastic bags containing goldfish in a minimum of water."

Gina Wilding, deputy clerk at Ludlow Town Council, added prizes can still be given to people attending the fair but they must be different.

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