ORGANISERS of the annual Rupert Day in Canterbury are thinking of holding it elsewhere in future. John Beck, secretary of The Followers of Rupert, which organises the event, said his members were fed up with high parking charges in the city and with the difficulties of access and unloading.

He said they were now considering whether to find a different venue, such as an hotel or large centre, with easier access and cheaper parking.

"We would still keep the annual Rupert Day in Kent, but probably not Canterbury," he said. "We are looking for other more suitable places."

Mr Beck said the consultants putting together Canterbury's bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2008 had approached him. They had asked if his society would back it. But Mr Beck said his group would not be supporting the application.

"Each year we organise, at much expense, a Rupert Day in Canterbury and receive absolutely no help from Canterbury council," he said. "It is not interested in anything we do so why should we help it out."

Mr Beck said his group arranged for John Harrold, the official Rupert Bear illustrator, who lives in Paris, to come over to Canterbury each year for a signing session with Rupert's fans. "It costs us around £1,000 to put on this event," said Mr Beck. "We do it because there are fans from all over Britain, who want to come and meet Mr Harrold and get him to sign a new annual."

"As far as Mr Harrold is concerned, Ashford would be a more convenient place in which to hold the Rupert Day and since most of our members come from all over Britain it would make no difference to them.

"This year our volunteers have complained bitterly about the increase in parking charges in the city and the inconvenience of having to leave the event to go and feed parking machines. Access to Canterbury is poor and when you get here unloading is difficult and trying to direct people to the Environment Centre is a nightmare. We are looking at much easier places to use, with lots of free or cheaper parking."

He added: "The only thing the council has done is name a road after Rupert Bear's creator and that has become one of the city's biggest traffic jams," he added. "It is just too apathetic."