A festive tradition running in Kent for more than 70 years could be axed over health and safety fears.

Organisers of the Christmas Eve community carol singing in Canterbury are considering pulling the plug after concerns were raised by charity volunteers.

The popular event – which attracts huge crowds – is an open-air concert in the city centre and was first held in 1952.

Proceeds from the service, which is usually attended by the Archbishop, help buy hundreds of Christmas hampers and gifts for deprived families and the elderly in Canterbury.

The safety fears are believed to stem from concerns over the limited number of volunteers available to manage the thousands in attendance, although this has yet to be confirmed.

The event would be greatly missed if it does not go ahead, with some referring to the singalong as the “highlight” of their Christmas season.

Confusion over its future has arisen after the Lord Mayor of Canterbury’s Christmas Gift Fund, which has long organised the service, posted on social media that it had been called off.

The charity said: “We are very sad to advise you that the Community Carol Singing on Christmas Eve (December 24) in Rose Square, Canterbury will not take place this year.

“We are a small committee of volunteers and the requirements to ensure that the event goes ahead safely is beyond what we can do.

“Whilst it is very disappointing we have nevertheless continued to distribute gifts for those in need and have spent over £13,000 this Christmas season to ensure that many of our neighbours will have received help from The Lord Mayor of Canterbury’s Christmas Gift Fund.”

The announcement caused sadness among the many long-term attendees, one of whom said: “I have attended this event since childhood, so for 70 years, and it's the start of Christmas for me.

“I'm gutted but so pleased that the charity is still able to continue.”

However, the Lord Mayor of Canterbury herself, Jean Butcher, told KentOnline that not all hope was lost for the popular event.

She revealed that the council is in talks with the Lord Mayor of Canterbury’s Christmas Gift Fund and Whitefriars, which has hosted the event in Rose Square recent years, with the goal of preserving the tradition.

Canterbury City Council leader Alan Baldock added: “We’re very anxious that it does go ahead. We’re pulling out all the stops and at the moment we’re optimistic.

“We understand just how important this carol service is to the people of Canterbury.”

The Christmas Eve carols were unable to go ahead in both 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, but the event was replaced with an online alternative.

Another regular attendee shared their sadness at the potential demise of the decades-long tradition, saying: “That is such a blow.

“As a family we have supported it since the very beginning.”

The Lord Mayor of Canterbury’s Christmas Gift Fund and Canterbury City Council have been contacted for further information.

Whitefriars declined to comment on the potential cancellation of the event.