ORGANISERS of a funfair which has visited Farnworth for half a century have accused council chiefs of snubbing them.

Fair operators S & J Cubbins claim the fair's future in the town is under threat following proposals to turn vacant private land near the junction of Longcauseway and Albert Road into a modern 40-flat estate.

The pair have been told by Town Hall bosses that no more plots of land are available in Bolton because there are already enough fairs across the borough.

But they have condemned the ruling, and are urging the council to reconsider.

Stanley Cubbins said: "To put a blanket ban on any more fairs in Bolton is an easy way out.

"I haven't got a clue where that leaves me, the people who work for the fair and their families, and the hundreds of people who enjoy the fairs every year.

"We appreciate that things move on, but nobody ever expected that the council would turn their back on us."

The land is owned by Silcock's, a well-known family of showmen who put on fairs around the North-west.

The fair, which boasts attractions including a waltzer, a high-rise dive bomber and a ski jump, usually comes to Farnworth four times a year.

But it could be consigned to history, as outline planning permission is being considered to construct one and two-bedroomed apartments in a two or three-storey building. The fair is likely to stand for the last time when it opens its doors next week from March 10 to 19.

Mr Cubbins said he had inquired about using land on a sunken car park next to the Three Crowns pub in Farnworth, but the idea had been rejected.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "Our policy is that we consider we have enough fairs within the Bolton borough.

"There are fairs throughout the year across Bolton, including one at Moses Gate."

The fair used to take place in the centre of Farnworth at Market Street, near the Asda superstore and other shops.