A TOWN jeweller claims he lost a sale totalling nearly £600 because of the Christmas fair.

Salina Sales owner David Yeomans said noise from a generator powering a fair ride outside his Friar Street business on Friday and Saturday deterred shoppers.

Mr Yeomans, a Droitwich trader for 21 years, said: "A woman came in to look at gem rings worth nearly £600 but left because she couldn't stand the noise. I thought the event lacked taste."

Scott Philbrick, of Paco Fruits, in Droitwich Spa Indoor Market, said there was nothing to draw shoppers into the market and the bottom end of High Street.

He added: "The event killed trade. I only served three customers."

Droitwich Spa Association for Retail, Tourism and Services (DARTS) organised the fair as part of its late night shopping weekend.

Group member Terry Spencer said: "It was worth any inconvenience to see the children's smiling faces.

"The fair helped attract people on a night when the weather was very poor."