The historic Brighton Speed Trials have been cancelled this year following a fatality during last year’s event.

Representatives from the Brighton and Hove Motor Club, which organises the annual event on Madeira Drive, met Brighton and Hove City Council last week to discuss the future of the trials.

Both parties agreed it would be unwise to host the speed trials until the circumstances that led up to last year’s incident were fully understood and the coroner had reported her findings.

Tony Johnstone, chairman of the Brighton and Hove Motor Club, said: “We have got to wait until the verdict of the coroner and we cannot do anything until we have.

“We need to know exactly what went wrong and if there is anything we can do to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“Of course we are disappointed but we have to respect the inquest into this very unfortunate set of circumstances.”

Charlotte Tagg was riding in the sidecar of a black Honda Asco when the motorbike failed to stop at the end of Madeira Drive and smashed into a barrier.

The 38-year-old, of Beck Row in Suffolk, died as a result.

The 64-year-old male driver was left in a critical condition after the accident but survived his injuries.

The Brighton Speed Trials event has been running since 1905 and claims to be the longest-running motorsport in the world.

Tens of thousands of motor enthusiasts head to Brighton seafront each year to watch around 400 motorists take part in the quarter of a mile drag race along Madeira Drive in classic bikes and cars.

Entry costs £10 per person and the money raised goes towards covering costs of the event.

Mr Johnstone added: “We are already planning the next event for September next year and hope to carry on its success.

“There are a lot of people who enjoy motor sports and go out to see it every weekend and we hope they will return to support us again next year.”