by Katie Alston

kalston@thekmgroup.co.uk

A public hanging for charity was cancelled after a member of the public complained to police that the fundraiser was offensive.

The Phoenix Tavern in Abbey Street had already raised just under £300 for the Cottage Hospital since they opened a book three weeks ago.

They had been asking customers who they would like to be hanged at the boozer's beer festival.

A total of 282 votes had been placed for figures of 'hate', which could be people dead, alive or fictional.

Names including Tony Blair, Nick Clegg and even landlord David Selves were thrown in the hat.

The winner, or loser depending which way you look at it, would have then been made into an effigy by a local artist and hung from the gallows at the festival due to be held at the end of May.

Manager Michael Peters promptly pulled the plug on the charity shenanigans when he got a visit from police last Tuesday.

The 27-year-old said: "They told us we would be committing a public order offence and could lose our licence if we held the hanging.

"The officers were taking it very seriously and certainly didn't see the funny side.

"It was for charity and was meant with no malice, just good humour.

"We could have raised at least £1,000 if we had been allowed to actually hold it.

"I was shocked, it was only a silly game.

"We had had a lot of positive comments and everyone I spoke to saw it as a laugh, we certainly didn't intend to offend.

"We want to continue raising funds for the Cottage Hospital and hopefully everyone will share the excitement and banter."

Inspector Kevin Swinney said: "We were notified by a concerned member of the public about the nature of the fundraising, which had caused them offence and who was worried it could potentially offend others.

"We acknowledge that the motives behind this fundraising idea were entirely charitable and in the course of their neighbourhood duties, a local officer had a quiet word with the manager, who when they became aware it had caused offence, decided to remove the board to avoid unintentionally offending any other customers."