WORCESTER'S annual Victorian Christmas Fayre has been heralded down the years as a phenomenal success story.

Thousands and thousands of visitors enjoy the festive atmosphere of our historic city - and spend thousands and thousands of pounds.

But, apparently, as we report today, for some business people it is not a picture of unlimited joy. There are those who are less than pleased with the event.

Some traders in historic Friar Street say the Fayre has outgrown the narrow confines of the thoroughfare. Such is the crush that customers are put off from visiting their shops.

Paula Jauncey, from Emporio, in Friar Street, has gone so far as to say that the Fayre has become a "monster".

She has told us: "Independent businesses like ours don't benefit at all - you can't even see the shops because of the stalls and the people. We might as well close for the weekend."

These are clearly legitimate concerns, and issues of compensation may have to be examined by the city council.

But any radical change - such as moving the Fayre to Pitchcroft - would run the risk of ruining an event that has brought extra trade to many hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, pubs and shops.