Annual lifeboat event cancelled over 'bureaucracy'
A major fund-raising event for the Penlee lifeboat has been cancelled after organisers accused Cornwall Council of "bureaucracy gone mad".
They said the council had asked them to fill in too many forms.
The event, which includes a lifeboat display, usually attracts thousands of visitors.
Cornwall Council said it had simplified the way it dealt with applications this year to enable organisers to hold successful and safe events.
Rosalie Whitlock, of the organising committee, said the council had asked for a business plan for the day, as well as various licences.
She said: "Any stall that had a gazebo over it, we had to have it stewarded, and they needed to know how it was going to be managed for the day.
"Most people are upset, anxious and cross because this is money for Penlee lifeboat that we are not going to get."
The event would have included 30 stalls on Penzance Promenade, and a helicopter practising a rescue in Mount's Bay.
In a statement Cornwall Council said: "The council simplified the way it deals with events notifications across Cornwall earlier this year.
"All enquiries are channelled through the council's events co-ordinator, who co-ordinates a joined-up approach across council services to make it easier for applicants to hold a successful and safe event, and who can provide or point event holders to expert advice."