Ashby de la Zouch Town Council believes it would be 'problematic at best' to hold the Ashby Statutes if the event went ahead in Market Street this year.

The historical fair, which is staged in September each year, looks unlikely to go ahead in its recognised form next month - although the final decision rests with North West Leicestershire District Council who run the event.

Coronavirus concerns have seen most of Ashby's planned events cancelled this year.

And the Statutes, scheduled for September 18-22, seems set be added to that list.

The Pat Collins Funfairs event marked its 800th Statutes last year.

But the Town Council's Events and Entertainments Committee was told on Monday night that staging the event in the current climate may not be possible.

The Statutes is District Council organised and Town Centre manager Stuart Benson explained: "We haven't had clarity about it. The road closure has been applied for, but ultimately it'll be a decision for the District Council as it's their event.

"They will produce a safety advisory group who will meet to discuss the options. But the event is out of our hands.

"It'll be interesting to see if they can come here or not."

Cllr Mike Ball expressed concerns about the Statutes going ahead as planned.

He said: "We ought to be saying something to the District Council expressing our concerns about it going ahead.

"I feel it would be impossible to have that crowd of people in the town, then wiping down equipment in between rides.

"It's extremely high-risk and I think we should be lobbying the District Council for it not to go ahead this year.

"I'm heartbroken, my grandchildren love it and I love taking them, we go every year. But the risks are too high."

Town clerk Jack Fargher responded: "I will speak to the organisers, who are aware of my views anyway.

"But I will re-iterate the view of the Town Council that it would be problematic at best as to how the Statutes would work.

"Discussions are going on between the Harrises (from Pat Collins Funfairs) and the District Council as to whether or how it could go ahead.

"And where? That's the other thing. If there's an alternative to having it in the street, how would that happen? We will see. Watch this space."

The committee also heard that the Remembrance Day parade would not go ahead in its recognised form this year due to the pandemic.

However, discussions are planned next month and the committee was told the Royal British Legion will decide what happens in November.

The Town Clerk added he would be meeting Royal British Legion representatives and other interested parties to see how it can be organised.

He said: "It's difficult to see how a parade can happen, I don't think it will.

"But what can we do to salvage something from Remembrance Day and Armistice Day? Discussions are going on locally and nationally.

"As soon as I have information I will circulate it to town councillors.

"It might be, for example, we could have an outdoor service somewhere, but that would be subject to discussion.

"What I can guarantee is that it won't look like it looked last year."