A clergyman has been criticised after he stopped a healing fair, claiming it was against Christian beliefs.

The Rev Roger Humphreys, rector of Woodstock, told managers at the Bear Hotel in the town that the Quest Healing and Psychic Fair should not be allowed to go ahead because the activities planned went against Biblical authority and he did not want them on his patch. As a result, the hotel cancelled the fair, despite organisers having paid 150 deposit for a conference room at the hotel.

Mr Humphreys said the words 'occult' or 'coven' accurately described the activities of palmistry, tarot, clairvoyance and mediums that would have taken place if the fair had gone ahead. He said he had the backing of other clergy and Woodstock churchgoers.

Mr Humphreys said his opinions were based on Biblical authority. He described the hotel manager's action as "correct and courageous".

He said: "As a Christian, I believe that many of the planned activities are expressly forbidden in scripture and are opposed to what we believe. Far from being helpful there are many examples of such activities causing fear and actual harm. I believe that healing can only be offered in His name through prayer."

Quest organiser Alison Bennett was outraged and said many had lost out because of one person's beliefs.

She said: "We have never had our fair cancelled before or had any trouble. We are not witches in any shape or form. I cannot believe one person's opinion has been able to cancel an event that has taken weeks to prepare.

"We've never come up against this kind of opposition before, I can't understand it. We would never dream of standing outside a Christian church and telling people not to go in because it's wrong.

"We also give ten per cent of proceeds to the NSPCC. Many people have been let down by this. Why should people be denied the chance to learn about healing?"

Mark Butchell, manager of the Bear Hotel, said the decision was made because he feared the fair would upset the local community.

He said: "At the time of the booking, the hotel was under different management. I do not feel as a new manager I can go against the wishes of the community.

"Woodstock is a very small community and there could be a great deal of negative feeling towards The Bear if we had let the fair go on."

He said he had apologised to Ms Bennett and would offer to reimburse her costs.