A beloved Christmas festival in a Cornish town has been cancelled after almost two decades of operations.

The Padstow Christmas Festival, which had run for 17 years, was shelved by organisers who blamed "escalating costs" and flagging sponsorships, prompting dismay from would-be attendees and traders alike.

Tina Evans, who founded the event, had closed the website - which currently states the the festival will no longer be running "due to unforeseen circumstances".

Evans told traders: "It is with great sadness and regret that I have been left with no alternative but to cancel the 2024 Padstow Christmas Festival.

"With escalating costs and lack of sponsorship the event has become financially non-viable.

"Having paid out deposits and initial costs, it has become painfully obvious that the festival could not carry on.

"So to minimise the financial loss as far as possible to cancel now is the best option.

"We could have carried on, but I know in my heart of hearts that I would have had to cancel later on and then the financial loss to all would have been much greater. My sincere apologies to you all.

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"It has been a great 17 years, and I know some of you have supported us for many many years, and I am truly sorry that we can not continue.

"I wish you all well for the future. You all have great products so I know whatever events you decide to do you will all be successful."

In reaction to the announcement, traders raised fears that those booked in to appear at the festival would suffer financially.

While one social media user said cancelling the Christmas event in May was "disgusting", and slammed organisers for not providing an alternative.

Two years ago, the event had introduced a £7 entry fee in an attempt to account for rising costs.

But this was met with backlash from some visitors, who labelled it "greedy" and "atrocious".

In reaction, the Christmas market's entry fee was dropped in 2023 - with the event reverting to a free entry model.

The event had been promoted by National Geographic in its list of best Christmas Markets in the UK, and had been scheduled for December 5 to December 8 later this year prior to its cancellation.