The organisers of one of Sheppey's biggest fundraisers say they feel they have been 'slapped in the face' after being forced to pull the plug on the annual event.

Lee Ewart, chairman of the Relay for Life Sheppey committee, has announced they will not be putting on the 24-hour relay next year as Cancer Research UK is cutting back.

Over the three years the relay has been running on Sheppey, Islanders have raised more than £30,000 by getting together teams of people to walk around a track for 24 hours.

Every year the community has also got involved, with fundraising stalls and donations to the charity.

But Cancer Research UK has decided to reduce the number of smaller relay events across the country.

According to Mr Ewart, the charity's relay development committee has said any relay that does not make £30,000 or have the potential to do so will not be allowed to go ahead.

The charity says it costs money to support events.

Mr Ewart, of Manor Road, Rushenden, decided to form the Sheppey committee after losing his mother to breast cancer.

He said: "We are all gutted about this.

"We have spent three-and-a-half years promoting the relay on the Island, and now this slap in the face.

"Sheppey has been wonderfully generous over the three events and I am so proud of the way Islanders came together to remember, support, and celebrate those affected by cancer, especially this year when it rained and everyone just carried on.

"I would like to thank everyone who donated their money, time and services."

Sean and Sharon D'Alton, who formed the CavaCrew fundraising team which took part in the relays, have also been devastated by the news.

Mrs D'Alton, of Minster Road, Minster, was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2008.

Mr D'Alton has written a strongly worded letter to the charity, telling them he feels they have insulted the committee and everyone who gave their time and money.

One line in the letter reads: "We live on a small Island within limited funds and our community thought that our money and efforts were good enough."

He added: "It was a fantastic event and it's a terrible shame. We shouldn't have to go to the bigger events somewhere else - this is our community."

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Lynn Daly, Cancer Research UK spokesman for Kent, said: "Cancer Research UK's Relay For Life raises money to fund life-saving research.

"We owe it to our supporters to ensure that we raise as much money as possible in the most cost-efficient way.

"For this reason we have taken the difficult decision to reduce the number of smaller Relay For Life events across the UK, including the Isle of Sheppey event.

"We are very, very grateful for all the support we have received from everyone in and around the Isle of Sheppey in the past and hope that they will understand this decision.

"We are encouraging everyone who participated this year to join an alternative fundraising event, like an alternative Relay For Life or one of the Race for Life events in Kent, or by joining the local fundraising committee if they are able to."