A GROUP that has organised events and raised money for Worle High Street for nearly 25 years will fold because of lack of support.

The area’s traders’ association was started by town councillor John Ley-Morgan in 1986, when 60 businesses got behind the idea.

Over the years it has raised money for Christmas lights, improved street signs and other facilities in the High Street, organised summer and festive events and even employed a road sweeper on Saturday mornings.

In the 1990s Worle High Street Traders’ Association even created its own carrier bags for the High Street, with the ‘Give Worle A Whirl’ logo on one side and the members’ names on the other.

But in recent years, support has diminished, with only most recent chairman Mike Skidmore turning up to represent the businesses at the past few meetings.

He took over from Councillor Ley-Morgan in 1999 and Worle High Street Traders’ Association continued to flourish for several years.

Mr Skidmore, who has a business in the High Street, said: “It is a real shame it has come to this.

“I’d like to thank the businesses for their support over the years, it is just frustrating that it has dropped off increasingly over the past year.

“I know that I’m responsible for keeping things going, but it’s just not possible with one business person turning up to the meetings.

“Everyone is busy, but an hour a month would have been all it took.

“We do get support from the community centre and the police, but among the businesses there is increasing apathy.

“I think we’ve come to the end of the road with the association with things as they are at the moment.

“It’s an incredible shame as we’ve done many good things over the years.

“Although the association will no longer hold regular meetings, I will be available to back a new campaign or help out wherever possible in the High Street.”

One final planned event will be held by the traders’ association over the next few months to raise some money for their Christmas lights’ bill to give to the town council.