EVESHAM'S mop fair is coming under scrutiny now 1,000 people have signed a petition to get it moved from the town centre.

The petition, organised by family and friends of Sorren Prosser who was fatally injured in an assault during the Mop Fair weekend two years ago, calls for it to be moved from Merstow Green.

At a Town Council meeting on Monday Councillor Paul Rencher said: "Clearly a lot of people are still unhappy about the annual event. Residents of Merstow Green are unhappy about the noise and it also disrupts access. People have not been able to reach the health centre - one of the people who signed the petition was a doctor at the centre."

Coun Ron Cartwright said: "In all the years I have been a councillor I have never received any complaints. I am afraid I would have a lot more complaints if the Mop was not held down there."

Coun Steve Selby added: "Merstow Green is a village green - when people move there they know or should be informed that the Mop is there. I go to that doctor's and I have never had a major problem getting there."

Coun Roma Kirke said: "I would hate to see the Mop go but if we can find an alternative venue I would like to consider it. I certainly cannot ignore these 1,000 signatures." Members resolved to research the matter further with a view to arranging a meeting with other authorities involved.

Mr Prosser's mother attended the meeting with her partner Trevor Williamson. He said: "We got the best response we could have hoped for. I think the councillors will probably end up having quite an in-depth look into moving the Mop, which has probably not been done before."

Mop fair organiser, Edward Danter said he hoped to be included in any discussion to move the mop. He said: "Members of the Showman's Guild would not want it moved to a meadow or field in October because the ground would be too soft."