The town’s annual fun-fair will return to Walmer Green this summer thanks to a petition which collected more than 1,000 signatures in 24 hours.

Forrest Amusements, owner of the attraction, was set to break a 70-year tradition after a change in the terms and conditions of the council’s hire agreement.

But a wave of support from the community, including the 1,194-signature document by carnival organiser John Trickey, prompted a change of heart from Dover District Council.

A council spokesman said it had agreed to delete the clause 33 which was proving an obstacle on this occasion, adding: “We have enjoyed a long relationship with Forrest Amusements, and continue to work with them.”

Family-run Forrest’s Amusements had said it wasn’t prepared to sign the latest “conditions of hire, terms and conditions” document, which asked it to waive its rights under the rules of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain of which it is a member. It claimed doing so would put it at risk of being reprimanded by the guild.

The council spokesman added: -“We have made it clear that we do not want to act in a way which will be seen as supporting practices which may be ruled as in breach of competition law by the Competition and Markets Authority.

“However we also do not wish to see the event cancelled.

“We have said that we are prepared to agree to the deletion of clause 33 for this particular letting on this occasion, strictly without prejudice to any view we may take in the future. We will consider the situation for future years in due course.”

Chief executive of Deal Community Carnival Association Mr Trickey feared the loss of the fun-fair would put other Regatta Week events at risk. He is delighted with the result.

He said: “We’re absolutely thrilled. Deal carnival is what it is because of the people of Deal and Walmer who support it.

“Our thanks go to DDC officers, who managed to resolve a difficult situation to enable Deal’s Community Carnival events to continue.

“Thank you to 1,000 people who signed our petition, and to the chairman of Walmer Parish Council, Pat Heath, the Mayor of Deal Cllr David Cronk and Deal and Dover MP Charlie Elphicke, who gave their support.”

Maria Forrest from Forrest Amusements has also welcomed the news, thanking the community for making them feel “wanted.”

She said: “It was such a big issue for us. Deal is our favourite place and the thought that we wouldn’t be returning was heartbreaking.

“I can only praise the council for turning it around. We do have a good relationship with them and we’d like to continue.

“I would like to thank all the people of Deal and surrounding areas for their support.

“It’s so nice to think that they cared that much and that we’re wanted. It’s a tremendous result and it really has made us feel valued.”

The fair will be returning to Victoria Park on Thursday, May 11, to Sunday, May 14, and then to Walmer Green on Saturday, July 22, until Saturday, July 29. Deal carnival will be on Thursday, July 27.