ORGANISERS of a historic parade have vowed it will go ahead as normal this year, despite soaring road closure costs which threaten to close it for good.

St Wilfrid's Procession, in Ripon, has followed the same route since 1954 and has been celebrated in some form since the death of St Wilfrid himself - the town's patron saint - 1,300 years ago.

This year, the cost of staging the parade is expected to be more than £10,000 following new legislation on road closure charges. But committee members have said they will not be defeated, and that the show must go on.

Committee chairman, Annette Wilson, explained that in previous years police had simply closed off the roads as they were used by the procession of floats, following the route St Wilfrid took around all of the town's historic gate roads.

"It seemed to work very well," she said.

"But this year we had to approach North Yorkshire County Council, who close the road for £2,500, and then we'll have to pay a private company to put up signs. It will all come to more than £10,000 - and that's just for one afternoon.

"We are determined to raise the cash and we are confident we can do it - but it's the principle.

"Every year more than 10,00 people turn out - our British heritage is expressed in events like this, and we want to keep our traditions alive."

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire County Council said the authority encourages community events as far as possible, but that it also has a duty to keep the travelling public safe.

"Given that the police have restricted their traffic management obligations to statutory pre-planned events, organisers must first obtain a closure order and then employ the services of an authorised traffic management company," she said.

"This will ensure all road closures and diversion routes meet traffic signs regulations."

She added: "We are always willing to discuss with event organisers ways of reducing costs while meeting statutory road safety requirements."

Anyone wishing to donate money towards the parade can contact Annette Wilson on 07904-162118.