Wallingford's major pre-Christmas event, the Victorian Evening, needs a complete rethink, says the town council.

Members said it was no longer the fun event it was intended to be, marking the start of the Christmas shopping period.

Member Adrian Payne said: "It has been overwhelmed by the noise from the funfair that is set up in the town centre -- and it was never meant to be a funfair event."

He said fewer people were dressed in Victorian costume, the traditional feel of a Victorian event had gone and parents were plagued by children to spend money on the funfair rides. He said: "It has been marvellous in the past and could be again, but at the moment it has lost its way."

The Victorian Evening was set up by Wallingford Business Partnership and is organised by member John Herring.

Several councillors praised Mr Herring for the work he has done and hoped the Victorian evening would continue.

Member Theresa Jordan said: "Everyone wants to see it continue but we would like to see some improvements."

Member Amanda Griffin said: "The carol singing was a lovely part of the event, but that is now drowned out by the funfair."

Mayor Betty Atkins said she would like to see more charity stalls out in the open rather than crammed into the Regal Centre.

After the meeting Mr Herring said: "I have no comment to make other than that the councillors' views will be considered by the business partnership at a future meeting.

"I was pleased to hear some of the nice things the councillors said."