Organisers of one of the town’s biggest fireworks displays have said freeloaders are one of the reasons this year’s event won’t go ahead.

Deal and Betteshanger Rugby Club’s popular show raises cash for the its junior players, and just about made a profit last year with a “noticeable decline” in takings.

Secretary David Donachie blames the hordes of people he says watched the show from the park in Cornwall Road – avoiding paying the entry fee which boosts the club’s coffers.

In a letter to the Mercury he said the spectators “completely blocked” the road to traffic at one stage.

Worries about losing money forced the decision.

Sponsorship last year from Ward Homes and Decor Discount prevented the club from making a loss, but with an estimated outlay of £5,000 secretary David Donachie says the risk is too great for this and future years.

“I don’t think we will ever do fireworks again,” he admitted.

“We’ve written it off this year, we didn’t even ask for sponsorship this year. If we have to rely on sponsorship, it means we have to put it on,” he said.

Previous displays have been engineered by a professional, Jeff Davies, who helped keep costs down by securing a good deal on the fireworks.

“I don’t think we will ever do fireworks again” - David Donachie, Hon Sec Deal & Betteshanger Rugby Club.

Mr Donachie added: “It took everybody volunteering the whole day to set it up, putting up special fences, getting the barbecue ready, and one year we even had an outside bar in a marquee.”

The showcase has taken place for over a decade, always with fundraising for the club as a priority.

It attracts hundreds to the training field in Canada Road, with guests paying between £4 to £6 or about £10 for a family ticket.

He said the club arranged its show in accordance with Warden House School’s display, always aiming to keep it competitive while raising money for the club and providing good value for money for visitors.

Organisers have always had problems with children climbing over fences and matters got worse last year when spectators bundled into a nearby park off Cornwall Road to get a clear view without paying.

People breaking into the field without paying also posed a health, safety and insurance worry, as it meant the club couldn’t account for where they were or whether they were safely clear of the potentially hazardous lighting area.