Brighton pie fight cancelled over health and safety

4:34pm Sunday 18th May 2008

Comments (20)   Have your say »

The world's largest ever pie fight has been cancelled following concerns over health and safety.

Pie Fight Brighton - promoted through the Facebook social networking sight - was to have taken place on Saturday (May 24).

But promoters say Sussex Police have pulled the plug on the record-breaking event after more than 1,000 people signed up to take part.

The event was to have been a spontaneous 10-minute "splatterthon" but officers have asked for a postponement so it can be properly organised with the backing of local agencies.

A spokesman for Sussex Police told The Argus the force had no objections when we reported in April plans to stage the event.

A pie fight spokesman sent out a message to members last week saying: "At the time there were less than 100 people signed up. Now there's more than 1,000 and, unsurprisingly, the police aren't too happy about it.

"The police have a good sense of humour and think it's a fun idea and have suggested we organise the event for real. Okay, it's not as spontaneous as it was but we could easily turn this into a world record attempt."

The current British record for pie fight participants stands at 70 people, so the group is optimistic they can set a new record.

The new date and location for the postponed pie fight have not been confirmed. The initial plan was to meet either at the Palace Pier, Preston Park or at the Old Steine at 3pm.

Members were also invited to dress up nd make their custard pies using shaving foam.

In an email sent to participants, organisers wrote: "This is just a bit of fun and we don't want to get in anyone's bad books. That way we'll be able to do it again."

Participants were urged to help clean up the mess after the fight.

Pie Fight Brighton is the latest in a number of underground stunt arranged anonymously through Facebook.

This year about 200 Facebook member applauded baffled commuters when they arrived at Brighton station. On a given signal, they began clapping and cheering commuters leaving the 5.32pm train from London Victoria.

Last year commuters were met by zombies one day and a mass silent disco where people listening to headphones danced among them.

Sussex Police declined to comment .