A long-established funfair definitely won't be visiting Cassiobury Park this year - but fears of annual visits being lost forever could be quashed.

There was plenty of disappointment when Stevens Fun Fair announced it was not being allowed to use the park this year.

The fair, which attracts thousands, has been running annually for 70 years but organiser Charmaine Stevens said Watford Borough Council has decided to change visits to Cassiobury to every other year.

Ms Stevens says this left her and a "huge amount" of Watford residents "saddened and disappointed" and earlier this month, she appealed to the council to reconsider its decision.

Tim Williams, who is the councillor responsible for parks in Watford, has confirmed Stevens Fun Fair will not be able to visit Cassiobury Park this year, in part because it clashes with the centenary celebrations planned by the council on June 4.

Watford Observer: Stevens Fun Fair in Cassiobury ParkStevens Fun Fair in Cassiobury Park

See more: Stevens Fun Fair told it can't open in Cassiobury Park this year

However in a possible reprieve for the fair, Cllr Williams told the Observer on Tuesday (April 19) the decision for Stevens Fun Fair to visit Cassiobury Park every other year can be "reviewed" adding "nothing has been ruled out".

The Liberal Democrat member also denied this week noise complaints were the "main issue", and said previously the council wants to "make sure it give new businesses and organisations the opportunity to hire the park".

The council's offer for Stevens Fun Fair to visit another park in Watford this summer remains open, according to Cllr Williams, and Ms Stevens has told the Observer that she will look into this.

But she added that in the long-term, Stevens Fun Fair does not want to leave Cassiobury Park every other year because of the "strength of public feeling shown" including a petition and an Observer poll.

See more: Petition launched over decision to scrap annual fair in park

She added in her appeal to the council: "We are very proud of our heritage and tradition, and Watford is a very important part of that. Over the years we have done much to support the town not least playing an important role in supporting the now long gone Horse Show and Carnival.

"This tradition is something that should not be thrown away, especially when you see how much your residents enjoy themselves in Cassiobury Park when it is packed with local families."