THE future of the 750-year-old Winkleigh Fair and the village's Christmas lights event looks bleak after not enough volunteers were found to run the two events.

At the fair annual meeting on September 10, the fair committee, which has run the fair for the last six years, resigned, and only two people came forward to form a new committee.

An extraordinary meeting was held last week in an effort to attract more volunteers to form a new committee and organise a fair for 2013.

A minimum of five volunteers were needed to step forward and form a new committee.

However, with less than five people coming forward, that leaves the fair without a team to organise it, and its future hanging delicately in the balance.

As well as organising the fair week every year in July, the committee organises the Christmas lights event each December. Without a new committee, neither of these events will take place.

This year marked the 750th Winkleigh Fair, with a group of hardy volunteers ensuring the week of activities could go ahead despite the wet weather conditions.

Youngsters from Winkleigh Primary School put on a show, and more than 200 people turned out for the Winkleigh's Got Talent show.

More than 30 stallholders were at the fair on Saturday, July 14, kicking off a day crammed with activities. There was a fancy dress parade, archery and sword-fighting lessons, an obstacle course, and tug-of-war contests.

Maxine Morpurgo, a former member of the recently disbanded committee, said: 'Well, we are all disappointed that more people didn't come forward so that a new committee could be formed.

'It is very sad to think that an event that has been happening for 750 years could come to an end.

'However, we are also hopeful that once people realise that events like the Christmas lights will not happen unless another committee is formed, more people will come forward.

'This could then lead to a new committee forming for Fair Week next year. We'll have to wait and see.'

Anyone interested in helping should call Maxine Morpurgo on 07815 309023.