More than a hundred fundraisers were left high and dry when a row over payment for an arts and crafts fair meant it had to be cancelled.

Sleepy Sundays had become a regular haunt for bargain hunters at Hove Town Hall.

Billed as a "giant indoor boot sale" it attracted hundreds of stall-holders each month, selling their wares while raising money for charity.

But shoppers and traders were shocked when they arrived at the monthly market last Sunday, only to find the hall's doors locked.

Brighton and Hove City Council said they had to cancel the event after organiser Denise Wood failed to pay for the hall's hire.

She said the £1,145 fees for the hall had become to high.

But stall holders said they had no idea the event wasn't going ahead, leaving dozens of them out in the cold.

Jewellery designer Pamela Brookshaw had booked her pitch two months in advance and arrived at 7am to put up her stall.

Half of her sales were set for Cancer Research UK.

She said: "Loads of us were standing there waiting for the doors to open. The event helps the Martlets Hospice in Hove because there's no entrance fee, you just give a donation to them.

"It's always packed with several hundred people attending during the day. We were very upset and disappointed to find out it wasn't on."

Mrs Brookshaw said about 100 other stall holders arrived at the town hall with their goods, only to find the event had obviously been cancelled.

Customers were also queuing to get in.

Traders tried to phone Ms Wood only to find the number they'd been given for her was disconnected.

Running for two years, the monthly event had featured security staff and porters, as well as a cafe.

Mrs Brookshaw, whose husband John suffers from cancer, said she had raised £300 for charity in recent months.

She added: "It was a good way to raise funds for good causes and a lot of people had built up good customers.

"It would be a shame to lose it. I'm just hoping someone else decides to take it over."

The council said it wrote to Sleepy Sundays on April 18 to cancel the booking as it had failed to pay for the venue and also owed for previous events.

The organisers have since paid the arrears but Ms Wood said the price for the hall had become too high.

It is now looking for a new venue in which to hold the fair.

Ms Wood added: "We did make every effort to let people know what had happened but unfortunately it was very difficult and there were some people we couldn't get hold of.

"We've raised several thousands of pounds for the Martlets since we've been going and we've paid a lot for the hall but the price just got too steep.

"But I'd apologise for any inconvenience caused. We're not sure where we'll go from here but we'd love Sleepy Sundays to come back."

The council said rates for the hall had gone up from £1,120 to £1,145 in recent months with concessionary rates for charities of about £900.

A spokesman said: "Like nearly all big events at Hove Town Hall, this is not an event we organise. As well as being an administration centre for the council, Hove Town Hall is also a venue booked by outside organisations.

"Obviously it is up to the organisers to inform people that their event has been cancelled."

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