The 84-year-old vice-president of the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain made an emotional plea to save the 168-year-old Haverfordwest Portfield and May fairs.

Mr Pat Evans' comments came after the opening of what is probably the last Portfield Fair to be held at St Thomas Green.

Pembrokeshire County Council has plans to develop a leisure centre on the site of the old county offices and also to landscape the car parking area on the Green.

Mr Evans and Michael Boswell, chairman of the South West Wales and Northern Ireland Showmen's Guild were among guests and civic dignitaries at a reception at the Glen Hotel hosted by Haverfordwest mayor, Cllr Alan Buckfield.

The mayor expressed disappointment that the town's county councillors were not present to see the closing of a chapter of the town's history.

The fair was a living link with the past, he said and he spoke of its magic, attracting people into Haverfordwest and contributing to the town.

Michael Boswell said his family had been coming to the Haverfordwest fairs for generations and he recalled the names of other showmen families - Holmes, Danter, Studt, Hill, Furley, Lindsay and North.

Mr Boswell urged the county council to follow the example of other authorities and provide street furniture which could be moved to accommodate the fair.

He thanked the town council and townspeople for their friendship and kindness over many years.

Mr Evans beseeched the town council to help find an alternative site and said he and Mr Boswell had looked around that afternoon and thought the area behind Morrisons could be a potential.

"We will battle until the day we die to retain this tradition which should never be lost," he said.

Cllr Cherie Harvey then asked all those present to raise their glasses to that fine tradition.

A display of newspaper cuttings, pictures and documents relating to the fair were also on display.