PLANS to set up a Dickensian fair and ice rink at Colchester Castle in the run-up to Christmas have been axed.

A temporary rink, market stalls and chalets offering food and mulled wine had been planned as the centrepiece of Colchester’s festive celebrations.

Don Quinn, director of events management company Snake in the Grass, said the event had been scrapped because of a lack of financial support from Colchester Council.

Nigel Offen, council finance chief, hit back saying they were spending £70,000 on Christmas celebrations and offering a huge amount of support, including the use of Holly Trees Lawn in Castle Park for free.

But Mr Quinn claimed he had only recently been told his company would have to pay an estimated £3,000 in security and employment costs after the castle closed.

He said this, coupled with the council refusing to contribute towards advertising and promoting the event, had convinced them to pull out of organising the events planned for November 22 to 29.

He said: “What we said originally was we don’t mind breaking even or even losing a few bob.

“But, as it stands at the moment, this is sadly the first fatality.

“When the council said it was giving us the park for free, that’s not true.

“They are giving us the lawn for free, but we’re having to pay some very significant costs towards staffing the park when it goes past opening times.

“The big point is we don’t trust the council any more.”

Mr Offen said the council was struggling to balance the budget because of rising levels of homelessness and benefits claims.

He said vacancies were not being filled while many people were taking on extra work.

He said: "We have put a great deal of money into the Christmas lights and all that is going on around it.

"I think these people need to understand that borough councils have other responsibilities."

Paul Bentham, Lion Walk Centre manager, who heads the Christmas Lights Working Group, comprising of traders, council representatives and Snake in the Grass, said the cancellation was a big shame for the town.

He said: “That group has put 13 months into building each Christmas year-on-year, so it becomes a regional, if not national, event.

“It is so frustrating. It’s yet another indictment of the council’s lack of understanding and contribution to the good townspeople of Colchester.”

Michelle Reynolds, chairman of Colchester Retail Business Association, said the council had always worked to support businesses.

She said: “We have made a lot of progress on things like car parking. People think the budget is bottomless and the council should pay for everything.That’s not the case.”