COMMUNITY groups in Chipping Sodbury are teaming up in a bid to revive the town's once popular Victorian evening.

The town's Lions Club, Rotary Club and Festival Committee are investigating relaunching the festive event after it was controversially cancelled last year.

Organisers had pulled the plug on the event because they claimed they had received little financial help from the town's traders.

But traders hit back, saying the event had got out of hand and had become a third Mop festival.

The cancellation meant local schools and charities that had traditionally set up stalls at the event lost out on hundreds of pounds.

The community group leaders want to return the evening to its traditional roots.

Brian Fletcher, of the Lions Club and Festival Committee, told the Gazette: "We are hoping to revive the evening to its original format - back to focusing on the costumes, charity stalls and Victorian games to celebrate Chipping Sodbury and the start of the Christmas period.

"It will be on a much smaller scale to what it was becoming in recent years, which we think will suit traders and residents.

"We have so far had an excellent response from the town."

The evening, if it goes ahead, is likely to be in the first week of December.

Mandy Sainsbury, of The Ball of Wool, fully welcomed plans for a return of the event.

She said: "When I first came to the town the event was a lively evening which involved all traders and local residents.

"Unfortunately, in much the same way as the Mop, it started to get out of hand. People just came for the rides, not to go in the shops. We ended up closing during the event in the years up to its end.

"But a revival back to its traditional sense really holds great promise for the town."

An open meeting to discuss the plan is due to happen later this month. Anyone interested in helping to organise the event should call Mr Fletcher on 01454 317620.