CHRISTMAS tractor runs to raise money for charity have been axed after police elf and safety warnings.
Kenn Valley Young Farmers Club in Devon cancelled their annual ride due to take place Sunday claiming police were “cracking down”.
Farmers dress their vehicles up in Christmas lights and drive them through local villages for charity.
They said: “This event has raised thousands for charity, however due to police and highways legislation we have been strongly advised not to proceed.
“This event comes with many risks, risks that there have always been ways around.
“However the police are cracking down on safety and after an hour long teams meeting discussing the event- they are not happy.”
River Dart Rotary Club, which organises another tractor run, said they too had to cancel for similar reasons.
Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins said: “This is a cop out by the police.
“Of course health and safety regulations must be followed but risks can be managed so that people can raise funds for charity and bring some much-needed festive cheer to our rural communities after Labour’s vindictive Budget.”
Mo Metcalf-Fisher from the Countryside Alliance said “After the kick in the teeth farmers received from the Treasury with the family farm tax, this Scrooge like clampdown on festive tractor runs is another blow to farming communities at a time when they need all our support.”
A police spokesman said: “Devon and Cornwall Police take public safety extremely seriously and have a duty to inform members of the public of certain health and safety aspects when organising any public event.
“Advice has been given by police and partners, through the Safety Advisory Group in how events can be ran lawfully and as safely as possible to ensure participants and the public are kept safe, as well as minimising traffic disruption to other road users.”
SOUTHAMPTON have appointed Ivan Juric days after axing Russell Martin.
The Saints are cut adrift at the bottom of the Premier League and Russell was giving his marching orders following a 5-0 defeat to Tottenham.
They have wasted no time in finding his successor, hiring Juric on an 18-month contract.
Juric, 49, arrives after being sacked by Roma in November – less than two months after taking charge of the Serie A side.
The Croatian has been in management for ten years but never coached outside of Italy.
He said after putting pen to paper: “I’m very pleased. I think it’s a really big challenge but I’m very optimistic because I saw a team that can do better.
“It’s important to immediately be connected with the fans. I want an aggressive team and I think that fans of Southampton will like that.”
Juric also had spells at Mantova, Crotone, and Hellas Verona, and he had three separate back-to-back stints at Genoa between 2016 and 2018.
His most successful reign came at Torino between 2021 and 2024, winning 44 games of 122 games in charge.
He is now tasked with keeping Southampton in the Premier League -his new side nine points off safety after winning just one match in 16.
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Juric’s 18-month contract includes a summer break clause, and a two-year option to extend that will be triggered should Saints stay up.
Juric, a former Croatia international, is known for driving a hard line on fitness with his players while his playing style is less reliant on the playing out from the back style preferred by Martin.
