Adam Lazzari Volunteers planning to hold the first carnival in Fakenham for more than 20 years, on Saturday, are angry that posters promoting the event are frequently being pulled down.

Adam Lazzari

Volunteers planning to hold the first carnival in Fakenham for more than 20 years, on Saturday, are angry that posters promoting the event are frequently being pulled down.

Every time a poster has been put up on the notice board next to Boots chemists in the town's Market Place it has strangely disappeared within 48 hours.

The community group, Kick Start Fakenham, has spent 18 months organising the event, called the Fakenham Fair, with support from the town council, the Fakenham Area Partnership, the Chamber of Trade and several businesses, individuals and community groups.

Graham Peel, from Kick Start Fakenham, said: “We are worried that someone is trying to sabotage something which so many people have worked very hard on for a long time.

“We are aiming to bring out the best in the local community and raise the profile of Fakenham and we have no idea why anyone would do this. Maybe it's a weird practical joke. I understand that we are not the only people being targeted and other posters are being taken down.

“It's frustrating because we're trying to get the Fakenham Fair off the ground and make it as big and as popular as the carnivals that used to be held in Fakenham until the late 1980s.”

Family entertainer Rollo will be entertaining children with free Punch and Judy and magic shows throughout the afternoon.

There will also be performances, dancers, archery demonstrations, taekwondo, classic cars, the King's Lynn Fury basketball team, a five-a-side football competition and music from the Evolution of Sound.

Other attractions include bungee trampolines, a bouncy slide and castle, a boxing arena and a bungee run.

Mr Peel said: “The carnivals in Fakenham used to bring the town to a standstill but they stopped doing them in the late 1980s because people moved on to other things. But with the economy the way it is, many people can't afford big family holidays and look to do things on their own doorstep. I'm hoping something like 60pc of the population of Fakenham will come on Saturday.”

He added: “We had hoped to do a carnival parade. That's not been possible this time but we should certainly be able to do one next year.

“We just need the people to come out now and make the Fakenham Fair a success.”

The Fakenham Fair will be at Millennium Park, Queen's Road, Fakenham from 2pm on Saturday.

It will be followed by a family disco at Fakenham Community Centre from 8-11pm with admission �2.50 for adults and free for under-12s.

People can get involved by going to Sweets n Things, Fakenham, or calling 01328 855172.