Christmas market cancels famous carol tradition over health and safety fears

Footage uploaded to TikTok of last week's event show massive crowds enjoying the festive singalong, which saw the local vicar wheeling a piano down the street to accompany carolers.

Some who attended said they were "packed in like sardines" and feared it was a "disaster waiting to happen".

St Peter's Bethnal Green holds a festive event on every Wednesday in the lead up to Christmas, with local businesses staying open until late and carol singing from 7-8pm.

However, the church has now announced plans to axe the carolling service.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: "With regret we formally announce that carols will not be taking place on Wednesday 13th and 20th December on Columbia Road this year. The crowds of over 7,000 present last week were of such volume on the road that there was a danger to public safety.

"We are grateful to God and to those working at the event that there were no serious injuries."

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Columbia Road has long been a tourist hotspot in the capital, with its flower market held every Sunday seeing a rise in visitors year-round.

This may be due to increased promotion from social media influencers.

The church added that locals, the police and Tower Hamlets Council supported the decision to axe the carolling, which had "become dangerously overrun".

They added: "To those who were planning to come to Columbia Road to shop, we hope you will return to do that. For those who are coming for carols alone please go local."

One regular visitor said: "Being a veteran of this event I can say last night was the worst because it's a victim of success. Overcrowding due to social media.'

Another local who had been going to the event for years said: "It's ruined now because there are too many crowds, you can't even hear the singing or the carols."

The Metropolitan Police told MailOnline they have not received any reports in relation to public safety at the event.

A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said: "The decision to cancel the Columbia Road carolling event was made by the event organiser due to their own concerns around public safety. It was not a decision taken by the council. We work closely with community organisations and partners, including the police, to support the management of local events and ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents, visitors, and local businesses, and will continue to do so."