STICKLEPATH Sports Club has regrettably announced that it has had to break with a 15-year tradition and cancel the midsummer ball because of the foot and mouth crisis.

Chairman of the club Jon Padfield said it was decided it would be tactless and irresponsible to proceed given the current situation.

Also cancelled are the Sticklepath-Cosdon fell run and the Sticklepath Horseshoe fell run. This is the directive of the National Fell Runners' Association.

'We apologise to everyone who may be disappointed at these decisions but we hope everybody understands our reasons,' said Mr Padfield. 'We hope to see them all at next year's events.'