WINTRY weather has forced the cancellation of Harpenden’s Easter Fair, for the second year in a row.

John Bagshaw, town clerk of Harpenden town council, said that with the common covered in snow, it would not be possible to hold the event this long weekend as the ground would be “reduced to a mud bath”.

He said that he was aware of the impact on local businesses, as the Easter Fair normally attracted several thousand visitors to Harpenden.

John said it was cancelled last year, also because of poor weather and concern about damage to the common.

As a result the council will miss out on receiving fees of up to £1,000 from the fair operator to use the grounds.

Earlier this year town councillors discussed the operator’s concern about continued unseasonably wet weather that has been experienced since October last year.

The operator asked whether the Easter Fair could be held on “the triangle” between Bull Road, the A1081 and Southdown Road instead, but John said that was also not possible.

Keith Lunn, chairman of the Harpenden Retail Partnership, said: “It is disappointing as it brings people in, and I’m a fan of any big event that attracts more visitors into town.”