A key part of Deal’s Regatta Week is at risk in an row over red tape.

Owners of the two-week fun-fair on Walmer Green, which has run for 70 years, are refusing to sign a change in the terms and conditions of the event.

Regatta Week management say it would be a “devastating” loss for the summer programme with other events also affected.

Family-run Forrest’s Amusements have been returning to Deal for four generations but they say they are unprepared to sign the authority’s latest “Conditions of Hire, Terms and Conditions” document.

They refuse to accept a clause that would make them waive their rights under the rules of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain of which they are a member.

Doing so, they say, would put them at risk of being reprimanded by the guild.

John Trickey, chief executive of Deal Community Carnival Association, says the dispute puts many of the July Regatta Week events in jeopardy.

He is hoping the community will express their concerns in a bid to make Dover council amend its agreement.

He said: “This is devastating. If the fun-fair isn’t here we’ll also lose the Teddy Bears’ Picnic, one of our biggest events, as Forrest Amusements is a major sponsor.

“They give us 500 teddy bears for the children and 500 free rides as well as money towards the fireworks.

“They also supply us with the generator to supply sound and the stage.”

Mr Trickey and his wife Rosie have been working with Forrest Amusements for 21 years but the business has even deeper links with the town.

It has been working with the district council for the hire of Walmer Green for 40 years and before then ran from the promenade near the Royal Hotel.

Mr Trickey says he does not understand why the new clause is necessary, believing that the Showman’s Guild reassures the public of high safety standards.

The district council says the clause is not new and Forrest Amusements had signed the same agreement in 2015 and 2016 – a claim the company strongly denies.

Maria Forrest, of Forrest Amusements, said: “Dover District Council didn’t send us the new terms and conditions in 2015 and 2016 and they didn’t inform us of the changes.

"We didn’t have an up-to-date copy so we couldn’t have signed them.

"We’re members of the Showman’s Guild because it’s the benchmark. Everyone recognises it. To be a member says you conduct your business to a high standard, with tests, insurance and heath and safety.

“Signing this contract would put us at risk and we could be reprimanded.

“The other councils I deal with in Kent don’t feel the need to write the clause in. It does not make sense.”

The clause had been put into Swale Borough Council terms and conditions but then removed after discussions with Forrest Amusements.

The clause does not appear in Canterbury, Maidstone and the London Borough of Bexley’s agreements.

The family say Deal is one of their favourite places to visit.

Mrs Forrest said: “It’s not just the carnival, which in our opinion is the best in the south east, there is so much going on here that our family love.

“As much as we come for business, we have lots of friends in Deal. It’s the highlight of our summer.

“We’re distraught that we cannot do what we have done in Deal for four generations. We hope we can resolve this very quickly.”

Mr Trickey added: “The fun-fair is part of Regatta Week. It adds to the atmosphere and ambience of the whole thing.

“When it arrives in the town, people get excited and it signifies the end of term.

“If it’s not there, we might not get the same footfall of people to the carnival.

“I believe Deal’s carnival is the best in the south east. I’m not going to put my time and effort into something that is second best. We need people’s support.”

He is urging the public to write to district council officers and elected councillors to rally support. He is also inviting people to sign a petition.

He said: “Please express your concern that Deal and Walmer will not have a fun-fair this year and that your carnival and Regatta Week will be put at risk.”

The chairman of Walmer Parish Council, Pat Heath, and Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke have offered their support.

Cllr Heath said: “The fun-fair has been coming here for 70 years and we want to make sure it stays there.”

Mr Elphicke said: “Every year this event is a massive success and a real boost to Deal’s tourism and the local economy.

“It’s vital the district council supports the continued success of Deal – so I hope they will urgently reconsider.”

Sign a petition to persuade Dover District Council to remove Clause 33 from its hire agreement here.