Fairground operators have hit back at a goldfish ban at events on council property- a move which was agreed by South Kesteven District Council yesterday.

They were also supported by the current and five former Grantham mayors, including Dean Ward, Adam Stokes, Iain Stokes, Ray and Linda Wotten, plus Jacky Smith, along with other councillors, who either abstained or voted against the move.

The mayors said they were defending the British tradition of allowing Goldfish to be given as prizes as fairs against a Labour motion put forward by Councillor Louise Clack to ban the practise.

As Nub News reported yesterday , Coun Clack told the meeting the issue had been brought to her attention by a resident of her Earlsfield ward and a campaign by the RSPCA.

SKDC leader Coun Kelham Cooke also said: "Pets should be brought in as part of the family after careful consideration of the care and attention they will need, not simply after playing a fairground game."

Grantham was granted a Royal Charter by King Richard IIII in 1484 to hold a Mid Lent Fair which was opened by the Mayor of the day.

Today's fairs are represented by the Derby, Notts, Mid and South Lincs Showmans Guild which represents 95% of all fairs in the Country since the 1870's

The fairs are welcome by the people of South Kesteven.

Nationwide, 100,000 goldfish are bred by a specialist supplier as prizes.

Guild members have to abide by their strict code which states that any member who gives goldfish as prizes shall keep them in suitable containers.

Fish shall be passed to a successful competitor housed in a container not less then 4 inches in diameter and with a pamphlet supplied by the RSPCA.

Within the Showman's Guild there are strict fines of up to £10,000 if a member breaks those rules. The Guild says it takes seriously their obligation to take care of Goldfish.

They used to give Budgerigars as prizes but stopped that practice themselves.

The Showman's Guild Treasurer Mr Colin Pawley said: "I am disappointed by this motion and the fact that no one contacted the Guild for our view.

"We take our responsibilities on animal welfare seriously. By banning this, the authority is depriving many young children the pleasure of keeping a goldfish."

Mr Pawley added he has been a showman all his life and has never had any complaints about the care of their goldfish.