A MAJOR festival aimed at cutting car chaos in Dorchester has been axed after just two people turned up to support it.

Organisers put out 75 chairs last night for a meeting at the Corn Exchange to discuss closing off the town centre to traffic and laying on a Celebration of Dorchester festival.

But only two people came - and one of those turned up because they were worried about residential home staff getting to Homechester House in High East Street on the day of the traffic ban.

Bitterly disappointed town, district and county council representatives were forced to cancel the festival, which was going to be held to coincide with European Car Free Day on Sunday, September 22.

Town and district councillor Molly Rennie said: "It is a huge shame.

"After the success of the arts festival people were clamouring for similar events, but they simply didn't bother to turn up. When we first suggested a festival everyone said 'what a great idea' but none of those people were apparently interested in doing anything about it.

"The major thing was, the county council were backing it so we could have had the roads closed with no problems, and the town and district councils were backing it, which would have sorted out the administrative side. We just wanted people willing to come up with ideas for the festival and organise things.

"We could have had a really good festival, good for the town, but nobody from the chamber of commerce bothered to come, either.

"This is apathy - everyone thinks someone else will do it."

Town crier and blue badge guide Alistair Chisholm said: "It's all gone bang, which is a great pity because it could have been great for Dorchester."