The grand finale to a traditional festival has been axed because of new safety guidelines.

Red tape means Skipton's Waterways Festival cannot stage its popular illuminated cruise.

In past years, the night-time procession of boats on the Leeds-Liverpool canal has rounded off the three-day event, held over the May Bank Holiday.

But organiser Pam Clarke, from Pennine Cruisers, said the safety guidelines had changed.

New rules would mean they would have to erect fencing barriers along the length of the towpath covered by the cruise and there would need to be marshals at six-feet intervals.

Mrs Clarke said: "This would mean covering an area from the Horse Close bridge up to the canal basin. It's a lot of people to have to find and a lot of fencing to put up.

"What we are going to do instead is bring all the illuminated boats up into the canal basin and line them up, which in itself will look quite amazing."

Mrs Clarke said it was a shame the illuminated cruise could not be held as many people enjoyed it, particularly people living in the Horse Close area who could watch it from their houses.

She added: "We hope that by next year we will be able to address some of the health and safety issues and possibly have the cruise again."

It is the first time Pennine Cruisers has taken on the full organisation of the event.

Although British Waterways is contributing £3,500 towards the event, it has relinquished its lead role on arrangements.

The event will cost £11,000 to stage, and so far only £8,000 has been pledged, with contributions from bodies such as Puffer Parts in Riddlesden, Skipton Town Council and Craven District Council.

Now Mrs Clarke is appealing for further donations, no matter how small.

In the past up to 10,000 people have visited the festival and the 2007 event is expected to be just as popular.

In the region of 60 barges are expected to sail into town for the 2007 event, which will have the theme "Black Diamond".

Anyone wanting to offer financial support to the festival or provide entertainment can call Pennine Cruisers on 01756 795478.

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