THE date for one of Worcester's major tourism events has been set for the end of November despite opposition from some of the organisations involved.

The annual Victorian Christmas Fayre will be held from Thursday, November 27, to Saturday, November 30, this year.

But church leaders and Worcester Twinning Association have expressed a desire to see the event, which draws about 100,000 people, take place nearer to Christmas.

However, organisers believe holding the fair in late November is the best way to ease pressure on the city's facilities at a time when they are already stretched.

"Due to the large scale of the event and the number of visitors it attracts, the staging of the fayre has a major impact on the city, both from an economic and logistical perspective," said Clare Collier, Worcester City Council's assistant tourism and marketing manager.

"Consequently, the dates on which it is held are of concern to a wide range of interested parties, not least the police, who last year had to cope with making parking provision for more than 400 pre-booked coaches from all over the region and beyond."

She said the date of the Christmas Fayre - now in its 11th year - had only been set after lengthy consultation with all parties involved, including tourist chiefs, councillors, church leaders and city centre traders.

There had been calls from city church leaders and Worcester Twinning Association - which hosts visitors to the fayre from Worcester's twin towns of Kleve, in Germany, and Le Vesinet, in France - to switch the date to early or even mid-December.

"But Worcester Tourism Association and the Chamber of Commerce, representing the views of their retail members, favoured late November as the best way to ease pressure on the city's facilities at a time when they're already severely stretched."

According to Mrs Collier, the number of applications for stalls had exceeded last year's record figure of 110.

"Despite passing the shut-off date for new applications, would-be stall holders are still pressing for an opportunity to take part in the fayre that is already hailed as the Midlands' most prestigious Victorian-themed market, as well as Worcester's biggest annual event."