Newent's famous Onion Fayre has been cancelled due to a lack of support.

Gloucestershire's largest free one-day event would see over 150 stalls, fairground rides, live music, an onion show and an onion eating competition and would bring in around 15,000 visitors to the town.

But organisers have announced that the event, due to happen on September 10,  will not be taking place.

The annual event, known for its world-famous onion eating competition, has had 24 hugely successful years, but due to the knock-on effects of the pandemic and economic uncertainties, 2022 will not be seeing the return of the Fayre.

Newent Onion Fayre chairman Andy Offord said: "We have had to make the difficult and very sad decision to cancel the Onion Fayre. We do not want to disappoint people, but after being forced into having a two-year break, we've found that the momentum has been lost.

"Since the start of the year, we have been working hard to try to bring the event back for this September, however we have found that running the Fayre will not be feasible.

"We have discovered there have been many casualties as a result of the pandemic, and due to the economic uncertainties at the moment, the previous support we have had for the event is no longer there.

"We are a small group of volunteers who have thoroughly enjoyed bringing this event to the small town of Newent each year, and would like to thank everyone that has supported the Fayre in the past.

"Whatever happens in the future, the noble onion will always be celebrated in Newent."

Newent town councillor Julia Gooch said: "We were all looking forward to the Onion Fayre this year because it's not been held for two years due to Covid so it's a great disappointment for a lot of people. It brings a lot of people into Newent but unfortunately it appears to have lost its momentum.

"People came from all over for the onion eating contest, from abroad as well. We got worldwide recognition. You've never seen so many people in Newent on the day of the Onion Fayre. If they were coming here on holiday they would come for the Onion Fayre."

Despite the cancellation, Ms Gooch said: "Never say never, it may come back reinvented. We will miss it, but Newent's not going to forget the noble onion."