A festive tradition running in Kent for more than 70 years has been pulled back from the brink of demise.

Organisers of the Christmas Eve community carol singing in Canterbury had decided to pull the plug after concerns over health and safety were raised.

But now Canterbury City Council and Whitefriars shopping centre have stepped in to rescue the concert, which has been held since the 1950s.

The safety fears stemmed from concerns over the limited number of volunteers available to manage the thousands in attendance.

Now, to allow the event to go ahead in Rose Square, the concert’s host, Whitefriars, has financed additional security staff to act as marshals.

The city council has also increased its own public liability insurance to cover the service, and its insurer Zurich waived its additional premium.

The popular festive event is an open-air concert in the city centre and was first held in 1952.

This year it will feature a Christmas address from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, from an open-top double decker bus, Christmas greetings from the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Jean Butcher, and festive music from the St Stephen’s Church choir.

Proceeds from the service, which is usually attended by the Archbishop, help buy hundreds of Christmas hampers and gifts for deprived families and the elderly in Canterbury.

Great sadness was expressed by the community when they feared the singalong would not go ahead, with some referring to it as the “highlight” of their Christmas season.

Confusion over its future arose after the Lord Mayor of Canterbury’s Christmas Gift Fund, which has long organised the service, posted on social media that it had been called off.

The charity said on Sunday: “We are very sad to advise you that the Community Carol Singing on Christmas Eve (December 24) in Rose Square, Canterbury will not take place this year.

“We are a small committee of volunteers and the requirements to ensure that the event goes ahead safely is beyond what we can do.

“Whilst it is very disappointing we have nevertheless continued to distribute gifts for those in need and have spent over £13,000 this Christmas season to ensure that many of our neighbours will have received help from The Lord Mayor of Canterbury’s Christmas Gift Fund.”

The announcement caused sadness among the many long-term attendees, one of whom said: “I have attended this event since childhood, so for 70 years, and it's the start of Christmas for me.”

However, the Lord Mayor of Canterbury herself, Jean Butcher, told KentOnline on Monday that not all hope was lost for the popular event and talks were in progress to save the Christmas Eve get-together.

“I have to confess to a hint of sadness when I heard the concert may not go ahead but now I am smiling from ear to ear and cannot wait to see everyone come together and hear them in full voice.”

Canterbury City Council leader Alan Baldock added: “No one encapsulates the Christmas spirit more than the small band of volunteers that work tirelessly to raise money for those in the district who need our help.

“They spend countless hours of their own time dedicated to others so when we heard they might need a small hand from us, it was the least we could do to strain every sinew to make that happen.

“I am so pleased that effort has paid off.”

Tony Laughran, speaking on behalf of the Lord Mayor of Canterbury’s Christmas Gift Fund, said the committee was pleased that following detailed discussions with the city council, the event was proceeding.

The Christmas Eve carols were unable to go ahead in both 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, but the event was replaced with an online alternative.