PENKETH was pitiful compared to previous years. Glazebury was reduced to a tiny car boot show.

This was the summer the police refusal to bear the costs of policing walking days and carnivals really hit home.

The criteria for cover next year is being examined at the moment - but will events survive?

Some bigger processions were relatively unscathed - Lymm and Thelwall were as popular as usual.

But even events that went ahead were scaled back. At Grappenhall and Stockton Heath walking routes were diverted or cancelled.

This was the second year of no policing, and the effect on the community spirit was noticed.

Petra Hill, from Broadoak Avenue in Penketh, sadly recalled the small funfair that had replaced the carnival floats and stalls.

She said: "It used to be lovely. Everyone used to do something for the carnival and everyone you knew would come.

"It's very important for the community that it should survive."

One Glazebury Gala visitor said it looked like the heart had been ripped out of it'.

Cheshire Police were unable to provide a figure for how much they had spent on policing walking days last year.

But Chf Insp Dave Bertenshaw told Warrington's last police forum the decision meant: "We will be able to deal with anti-social behaviour and disorder instead of shepherding people.

"The closing of roads does not provide any real safety. The reality is that we couldn't continue as it was it was too dangerous."

The borough council is paying part of the funding, around £60,000, for some events next year.

Council officers are currently trying to decide the criteria carnivals would need to meet to be eligible for policing next year.

"We are trying very hard to continue supporting these important traditions but against a background of difficult operating circumstances," said the police and council in a joint statement.