Wickham'S centuries-old annual fair could break with tradition next year after a wrangle between organisers, councillors and traders.

The horse fair and funfair attracts thousands to the village near Fareham.

But it causes major traffic disruption and takes over The Square, making it impossible for customers for the many businesses to park, or suppliers to deliver.

The fair is held annually on May 20, except when that day falls on a Sunday, as it will next year.

When May 20 is a Sunday, the fair has been held on the Sat-urday before, but this has hit many local traders, who close on fair day because of the disruption.

By following tradition, the fair in 2001 should be held on the Saturday because May 20 is a Sunday.

But traders object because they say this will mean that for two successive years they would have lost Saturday business.

Despite protests from funfair operators John Wall and Son who want the tradition to remain, parish councillors and two district councillors say they want a change and are calling for the event to be held on Monday, May 21.

Winchester city councillors are being recommended to approve the switch at a meeting tomorrow "in the interests of the local economy of Wickham."

But there could be an added difficulty as the funfair and horse fair are unconnected.

Bernice Wall, of the funfair operators, has warned that the "horse people could still turn up on the Saturday."

Asking for the fair to be held next year on Saturday, in keeping with tradition, she said: "We are not in charge or control of the horse people. They know what day the fair should be held on and would most likely turn up as per usual on the Saturday.

"I think the shopkeepers are being a little hard on the fair. The Saturday is, in fact, the most convenient day of the week for the majority of Wickham."

Parish council chairman Dick Warwick, who has a hardware shop in the village, said he hoped Winchester would support Wickham in agreeing to the Monday date for next year's fair.

He said: "Saturday trade for the majority of shops is double what it is for any other day. By holding the fair on Monday there would be much less disruption."

Asked if there could be a problem with the horse fair possibly turning up as usual, he added: "We should not be dictated to by the horse people as to the date of the fair."