A popular Christmas lantern festival has been axed due to lack of funding in the credit crunch.
Dawley Christmas Lantern Parade has been cancelled after funding was not found in time.
Carol Williams, a volunteer organiser, said: “The Christmas Lantern event is cancelled this year.
“Fund raising is an increasingly difficult task and recession has affected traditional public events and had a quelling impact on communities.
“The lantern festival has proved to be a popular event and was a community led celebration bringing Christmas to Dawley. Schools, community groups, retailers and pastoral centres throughout Telford all participated.”
The festival had been running since 2007. The parade saw residents create a number of character-shaped lanterns out of willow and tissue paper including nativity characters and angels.
Event organisers did approach Great Dawley Parish Council but their request for funding was denied.
David Griffiths, clerk of Great Dawley, said only grants of up to £250 could be provided.
“Unfortunately the amount requested was thousands of pounds,” he said.
Mrs Williams said: “The parade improves community spirit and brings people together. There were people dancing in the streets last year and there must have been 1,000 people. We are the only ones in Telford with a lantern parade.
