THE headmaster of the school where a Western group was planning to hold a mock shoot-out cancelled the event after criticism that it was insensitive in the wake of the Dunblane tragedy.

The Citizen (June 20) highlighted the planned event at Ashton on Ribble High School's summer fair. A group of entertainers Western Creations - The Wild West Brought to Life, had been booked as the highlight of a Western theme day.

But criticisms from a man whose son comforted relatives of the Dunblane shooting tragedy led to the event being called off.

"Guns and children just do not go together," said Ron Yates, whose son Keith, as chief executive at Stirling Council, counselled people involved in the Dunblane incident.

The police had no objections and Mrs Linda Young, speaking for the school's organising committee, said they felt it was appropriate to carry on with their plans despite the massacre.

But Headmaster of the high school - motto A School to be Proud of - Graham Hewetson told the Citizen: "We felt our best course of action was to cancel the event."

He added: "Western Creations was booked to provide entertainment for families.

"The main thrust of the activities planned included having a tented cowboy camp holding competitions using bows and arrows.

"At no time was a shoot-out contemplated and it is worth noting that the group is also able to offer activities which do not include guns. As a result of the Citizen's article, we felt that as we had no opportunity to reply before the Fair, our best course of action was to cancel their appearance."

Editor's note: The Citizen endeavours on all occasions to contact all parties involved in stories. We rely on their goodwill to respond to our requests for comment.

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