PLANS to ditch camping and live music at the Cheese Rolling have been welcomed – but residents are still furious that alcohol will be served.

The Cheese Rolling Committee (CHCRC) announced the changes to the madcap spectacle on Wednesday, following a public consultation.

In previous years the event, held on Cooper's Hill on the edge of Brockworth, has been free to attend and it has attracted thousands of spectators.

This year the event, which will take place on June 11 and 12, will be ticketed for the first time to help cover the cost of the event – which will be a six-figure sum,

There will also be a licensed bar selling alcohol at the top of the hill, but people won't be allowed to take their own booze onto the site

Jim Hunt, chairman of Brockworth Parish Council, said: "I think there should be a blanket ban on alcohol at the event. You can't have drunk people hurling themselves down that hill, accidents will happen.

"How are they going to regulate it? It's impossible. If there is alcohol on site then you're bound to get trouble."

But he added that the U-turn by CHCRC on proposals to provide camping and live music is a sensible one.

He said: "We as a council are definitely in support of that. We haven't discussed these new plans yet because we hadn't been told. It's good that there won't be camping though."

The plans had a huge reaction on TiG

Cheese Roller, Brockworth, said: "The two-day event will be a flop. Where are the tourists going to stay? The traffic in and out of the event will be a nightmare as tourists realise there's nothing there to see other than the races, and will leave the car park.

"They will expect more for their, no-doubt, overpriced ticket. Clearly by only having a bar on-site they will be ripped off for beer prices, cappuccino prices and gourmet burgers and other junk food."

Former Brockite, Tewkesbury, added: "No one seems to have touched upon the fact that although they will be selling alcohol there will be no overnight camping facilities.

"With most local residents boycotting the event and limited public transport, particularly on the Sunday, will all of those who partake in a bevvy or two have designated drivers?"

Richard Jefferies, Press Officer, Cheese Rolling Committee said: "With a bar facility in place we will be able to restrict the public bringing their own alcohol to the event ensuring a safer environment, with bag searches as enforcement."

Meanwhile a Save the Cheese Roll campaign has been launched in order to find sponsors to fund this year's event.

So far, Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet, King's Walk Shopping Centre and Gloucestershire First county economic partnership have all pledged sponsorship.