Hopes of bringing royalty to the 1999 Skipton Gala could be in vain because other planned events are being hampered by problems.

The hub of the centenary gala will be a massive battle re-enactment by The Sealed Knot historical society - but host venue Aireville Park is not big enough to accommodate the 3,000 members expected to "invade" Skipton.

So an urgent plea has gone out to any nearby landowners who can find a free field for some of the society, who will be reconstructing a Civil War battle camp over a weekend next June.

Until organisers can promise Britain's biggest re-enactment society enough room, they can't be booked - and all the other planned events are being held up as a knock-on effect.

And as Buckingham Palace is already compiling its 1999 visits diary, Skipton could lose out, even though royal officials gave a promising response to an invitation by Gala Committee secretary Glynn Beresford.

"We have hit problems, especially with providing camping space for the Sealed Knot,'' he said.

"We have already had to scale down plans for the battle. We were going to have 3,000 fighting men and now it's down to 1,000 and we hope to bring a number of fighting horses as well.

"But we need the space for all this. When you have 1,000 fighting men, they are likely to bring wives and girlfriends and their families. We are certain to be talking about at least 3,000 people invading Skipton that weekend.

"On Gala day itself you can see the population of Skipton increase by at least 10,000 as people flood in from as far as Newcastle and Wales. For 1999 there is likely to be a lot more."

It is hoped visitors to the gala will be treated to Concorde and the Battle of Britain Flight roaring overhead, before they wander up to Aireville Park and enter the main arena to be transported back in time.

The whole camp will be set up just as it would have been centuries ago, and the main battle at tea time will last around two hours.

The Sealed Knot is made up of members from all over the country, and next year some will be coming from abroad for the June 12 spectacular - if space can be found.

Mr Beresford added: "There are a few fields around Aireville Park, out towards Gargrave Road roundabout and we could really do with using them. We were intending to use Skipton Castle but the owners have some sort of exhibition on next year and they said Aireville Park would be more suitable anyway, which I found difficult to understand.

"Time is racing on and I am worried that if this doesn't get sorted this year we are going to be in trouble.''

Anyone who can offer land or cash sponsorship should call Glynn Beresford on (01756) 794849.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.