THE Fonmon Festive Lights Show has been cancelled "with a heavy heart" according to management.

Fonmon Castle management announced the cancellation in a Facebook post yesterday, saying that "fast-changing laws" make it difficult for businesses to survive.

"We will not let this stop us and we will all push on," said staff.

The full cancellation statement read:

"After much consultation and consideration, it is with a heavy heart that the decision has been made to cancel The Fonmon Festive Lights Show 2020 at Fonmon Castle.

"We created a safe, secure environment under the current Covid Laws which we hoped would have provided a much needed uplifting end to the year.

However, due to the very recent change to Welsh Environmental Health Laws and with 48 hours of constant consultation (since the law change) with the Vale of Glamorgan Environmental Health Department, we are very disappointed to say that it is no longer viable or operationally possible for us to proceed as planned this year.

"We are so grateful to everybody who has supported us in buying their tickets early. All our customers will receive full refunds. Due to data protection and the ticket system 'digi-tickets,' all refunds will need to be made manually.

"We ask for all our customers to be patient and bear with us as we slowly make our way through the high volume of tickets sold. For refunds please call 01446710206. (Office opening times tbc.)

"Thank you again for your continued support and anticipated patience whilst we process transfers/refunds. "The management team will consider options for those of you who wish to help the project at such a difficult time as we look for ways to push tickets on for our 2021 season should people wish. "Please be kind to our office staff when you call as they are doing their best in such difficult times. "We are deeply sorry to have to cancel such an amazing experience, we as a team have only recently obtained this magical castle and made such creative plans to give the people of South Wales an exciting, new family attraction. "Fast changing laws like these make it difficult for any business to survive but we will not let this stop us and we will all push on...somehow," said Fonmon Castle Management.