A POPULAR fete in Hampshire is having a “year out”.

The Easton Fete has been cancelled this year after organisers say there wasn’t enough interest from people to help run the event.

However, they are hopeful that the popular event which is a key date in the village calender will return next year and could turn into a biennual fixture.

Last year the event saw 800 people pack in to Easton Recreation Ground, where people enjoyed a range of activities including a dog show, egg and spoon race and wheelbarrow racing.

The event raised £10,000 which was split three ways between the cricket club, St Mary’s Church and Easton Village Hall.

This year, however the plans for the day are very much low key with organisers saying the fete will not go ahead however there could be either a coffee morning or car boot sell on August 28.

Ina Williams, a trustee of Easton Village Hall said: “Nothing is happening this year, we had a bit of an issue getting people to help organise it.

“We all get a bit tired and the same people doing it and advertised it a lot locally asking people to come forward and nobody did and at our annual general meeting we decided to give it a rest.

“But we do think the younger people in the village had mentioned it on various occasions and they would like to do it every two years and it is hoped it will come back in a different format.”

She said the attendance at the event has been good, but reiterated the fete will be back, and this year is simply to have a break to rethink how the event can take place in future years.