Ludlow Christmas concert cancelled after licensing blunder

A Christmas concert due to be held on Ludlow's Dinham Millennium Green has been cancelled due to an administrative blunder, it has been revealed.

Organisers of the concert, being held to raise money for next summer's diamond jubilee celebrations, failed to submit a temporary licence in time to hold the event. Documents arrived with Shropshire Council and West Mercia Police two days after the deadline.

Hundreds of people had been expected to attend the event staged on the green in front of Ludlow Castle.

David Edwards, from the Millennium Green Trust, said trustees were hurriedly cancelling arrangements.

He said: "Our plan had been to hold a community singalong on Wednesday evening which required that we receive formal permission in writing from Shropshire Council and the police.

"Because notice was given just eight working days in advance instead of the statutory 10 the applications were refused.

"Ludlow Larks had been booked to lead the singing and proceeds from collecting boxes and punch sales would have helped buy children's treats for the Queen's jubilee events next year."

Mr Edwards said the trust was responsible for the administration blunder but questioned the authority's festive spirit."

He added: "We sought to abide by the law and meet the requirements of our liability insurance. Without doubt this is our fault."

Carol Foster, licensing team leader at Shropshire Council, said: "Shropshire Council really want to encourage local communities to enjoy their Christmas festivities. If people want to organise events that require licensing under the Licensing Act 2003 we advise all applicants to give as much notice as possible."