A TOWN crier today warned a colourful annual contest could end unless more people support it.

Clitheroe crier Roland Hailwood says the future of the Lancashire Cup Competition to find the best bell-ringing bellowers is in doubt.

Mr Hailwood has been Clitheroe town crier for 18 years and single-handedly organised the cup, traditionally held on Spring Bank Holiday Monday, for the last 14 years. But he says with Clitheroe effectively shut for the day, visitors have been conspicuous by their absence.

The event has been supported with grant aid and prize money from both the borough council and town council as well as help in judging, scoring, administration and managing the stage by volunteers.

But apathy appears to be more prominent in Clitheroe than anywhere else when it comes to helping draw the crowds and Mr Hailwood, who will continue to be town crier, was forced to write to both councils and the chamber of trade in Clitheroe and Whalley to inform them that this year's event will be the last he arranges. It could mean the demise of the Clitheroe leg of the event if no one picks up the gauntlet.

He said: "The event has always been widely publicised but even with all that there has still been less interest in Clitheroe that at the other venues.

"Where shops are open and things are going on, the town criers' competitions has been the icing on the cake.

"Sadly I have come to the conclusion that the people of Ribble Valley and Clitheroe are totally indifferent to whether the town criers' event takes place or not.

"There is a lot to do around such an event. It costs around £1,000 which goes towards competitors' expenses and all this has to be collected from sponsors. It is a very difficult task."

Chamber of trade president Stephen Pietrzak said his organisation has discussed the problem on several occasions and blames the town's affluence. "Many of the shops are second businesses and run almost as hobbies. If people do not feel they need to open on bank holidays you cannot force them to do so," he said.

David Brass, who opens his town centre shop Banana News seven days a week, said the problem was part of a much wider picture.

He said: "It is a recurring theme where events in the town are suffering through lack of support. Even the football club which made it to the semi finals of the FA Vase has called for more people to support them. People just don't support local events any more."