There will be no more fairground attraction at a Glenrothes site following a ban by Fife Council.
The local authority stepped in after people living near Warout playing fields complained about anti-social behaviour and vandalism to their property when the fair visited.
A 60-signature petition was drawn up by residents and presented to the council, which has now ruled that fairgrounds can no longer operate on the site.
The move has been strongly criticised by one fairground owner, who claimed good operators were being tarred with the same brush as bad ones.
Calling for a rethink, Glasgow-based Michael Stirling said his fair was well run and had never experienced trouble with youngsters.
He alleged the ban was introduced after youths at a different funfair on the same site verbally abused people who complained about their behaviour.
”That site has been used for 35 years and I have been coming every March and September for four years,” he said.
”We have a fence round our fair, one entrance and security near houses. That other fair went in for one night and had no fences or security and all sorts went on with young folk fighting and being sick.
”Neighbours were phoning the police but no one turned up. One man said he phoned the police eight times.
”If you get one rotten apple, you don’t throw away the whole box but the council are banning all fairgrounds because of this one incident. I’m a small business and my livelihood is being taken away.”
Mr Stirling, who comes from four generations of funfair operators, is now in negotiations with Fife Council in a bid to find a suitable alternative site.
However, he maintains Warout is by far the best option and even offered to pay for police patrols on the site while the fair is operating at weekends.
”There wouldn’t be any trouble if the police were there. We’re part of the Showmen’s Guild, which runs the Links Market in Kirkcaldy. There’s no trouble there because it’s policed,” he said.
Fife Council’s parks and community events officer Keith Jackson responded: ”I have now met with representatives from the Showmen’s Guild and Mr and Mrs Stirling, and viewed alternative sites with them in the Glenrothes area.
”It’s now up to them to consider these options and come back to us. We would then consult with the appropriate people on the way forward.”