A council has been branded "crazy" for allowing a funfair to pitch up in a town amid a second peak in coronavirus cases.

Faversham residents say they are worried the fair, which is run by Forrest Amusements and is set to arrive in town on Thursday, will put the area "under huge risk" and lead to a spike in cases.

The popular funfair has been touring east Kent in recent weeks.

Following the introduction of the government's "rule of six" guideline, Dover District Council ruled the event would not be allowed to run at Victoria Park in Deal earlier this month.

But just days later, Swale Borough Council (SBC) triggered a storm of controversy when it allowed the fair to go ahead as planned at Milton Rec in Milton , near Sittingbourne.

Now, the fair is set for a three-day run on Faversham Rec.

But amid a second peak in Covid cases, some residents have expressed deep concern at SBC's decision to green-light the event.

Among them is dad-of-three Andy Austen, of Athelstan Road in Faversham , who said: "The town is being put under huge risk with the funfair coming into town.

"With things getting drastically worse over the last week or so, I don't think this can even be compared with when the fair was held in Sittingbourne. The situation now is far worse than it was then.

"In the current situation, I don't think people should even be put in the situation where they have the choice [of visiting the fair].

" Faversham has been very good at managing Covid. The town council's pretty much cancelled everything up until after Christmas - the Hop Festival, the carnival, the Christmas lights event.

"This decision by SBC goes very much against that policy.

"We love the fair coming to town, but I don't think it's the right time for it to be here."

In a post on Facebook, Forrest Amusements advertised the fair as "Covid secure", asking people to sanitise their hands as they get on and off rides.

They added that sanitising stations would be provided throughout the fair, while groups no bigger than six people will be permitted and people must keep their distance.

But Mr Austen says this is not enough, adding: "I don't think there's any way they can make it safe.

"I know the fair's saying they've got Covid controls, but I will be very concerned about it.

"The majority of people who are going to be using the fair are those below 30 - they may not be greatly affected by Covid but can absolutely spread it.

"You're risking having a lot of younger people mixing at the fair, and then coming back to their homes.

"I don't know how a council can consider this happening at this time."

Mr Austen took to Facebook to express his concerns.

While many commenters agreed with him, others defended SBC's decision, with Natasha Barnes writing: "Why can amusement parks remain open but travelling fairs not? If they are following Covid guidelines then surely they are permitted to remain open.

"It is a personal choice as to whether people attend just as its a personal choice as to whether people go to their local for a pint."

A mum from Faversham added: "Personally can't wait. So much has been taken away from my children this year.

"They didn't go to school for six months, and their swimming pool, soft play and play parks were closed for months on end. We're really excited to have this bit of normality in our lives and enjoy ourselves for half an hour or so on a few rides.

"Don't like it? Don't go."

Swale Borough Council has stood by its decision to allow the fair to run.

A spokesman said: "Government guidance is that fairs can continue to operate providing they are Covid-19 secure. We have checked with the operator and they are secure, so there is no reason for us to stop them lawfully operating.

“We are working with the operator and health and safety advisors to make sure the fair is Covid secure.

“We will be making additional visits over the next few days to ensure we are satisfied with the required compliance measures that are in place to meet the current government requirements and keep staff and visitors safe.

“These include limiting capacity, reducing operating hours, separate entrance and exit to the fair ground, track and trace on entry, one way systems, hand sanitising stations before and after every ride, daily cleaning of equipment, rides operating under capacity to allow for social distancing and stewards ensuring people comply with the rule of six.

“If at any point the fair does not adhere with the conditions we’ve implemented to meet government guidelines, it will be stopped from operating."

"Bars are open, why not funfairs?"

The owner of Forrest Amusements, Maria Forrest, says she is “very confident” all the safety guidelines are in place.

She continued: “We’ve worked very closely with the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain, who have advised us how to go forward with the government guidelines, to make sure we are running accordingly.

"I'd also like to thank Swale Borough Council and Canterbury City Council who have been amazing and really helpful.

“We have been operating our funfair for the last five weeks very successfully and the general public that attend seem to be very happy with the whole set-up of the fair.

“That said, we are a family run business. Myself, my family and my own children are a part of this business and it is absolutely crucial that we are keeping our staff and our family safe.

“So obviously there’s PPE in place, there’s hand sanitiser, we use the same spray to sanitise the rides that TfL use for the underground and trains. We’re doing track and trace.

“If it’s safe enough for my own family, I am very confident it is safe enough for the public.”

Responding to the criticism, Mrs Forrest said: “I understand that in all areas we go, there are people that don’t like the fair - that’s fine, I understand that, but for those that enjoy the fair and want to bring their children and families and enjoy a couple of hours out, we’re providing that service.”

She added: “Bars, restaurants and theme parks are open, why is a funfair any different?”

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