Remembrance Day parade cancelled due to health and safety costs

A historic Remembrance Day parade has been cancelled for the first time in 50 years - because of health and safety insurance costs.

Health and safety rules have caused the annual march to be scrapped after being quoted £700 to insure the event.

The traditional parade has brought together air cadets, scouts and Royal British Legion members for more than 50 years.

But now the event has been cancelled after council bosses told planners in the march needed to be insured.

Henry West, 95, who served in the RAF during the Second World War, said:

The remembrance march has been held in Caerleon near Newport for more than half a century.

Council chiefs told organisers that all public events need public liability insurance before they can take place.

After being told by solicitors that insurance would cost between £500 to £700, this Sunday's march has had to be cancelled.

Newport City Council spokesman said: "It's the responsibility of any event organiser to make sure they have correct arrangements in place for safe and legal running of an event.

"Newport City Council does not provide insurance policies but the council understands that there is time for the organisers of the Caerleon Remembrance Parade to arrange public liability cover if they still wish to do so."