Newport's Nocturne Cycle Race cancelled for first time in over 25 years in row over date

It is the first time the biennial event has been put off since its introduction in 1989.

But it collapsed after its status as a National Circuit Series was placed under threat because of a row over when the event should be held.

Organisers have always held the September event on a weekend.

But British Cycling say it can only go ahead if it is held on a weekday.

That makes it difficult to hold because of the problem of finding enough volunteers to act as stewards.

The hugely popular event sees thousands of people descend on Newport.

Nick Jeggo, who organises the event, said: "We run every two years normally and we're due this year, but we're having difficulties getting it on the calender.

"We need to be part of the National Circuit Series if we want the top racers, but British Cycling likes them to be on week days and that doesn't work for us.

"That's partly because of the crowd – nobody wants to drive down the M54 on a week day – but it's also about getting the help.

"In the past we've had teams of around 100 people turn out, but they're not going to take a day off work to do it.

"It's very disappointing. We want to do the event, but to get the big teams we need to be a National Series.

"We want the event to grow and get bigger and we're faced with a situation where it's going to end up smaller.

"Unfortunately we're getting nowhere with British Cycling and so regrettably we have taken the decision to postpone.

"We don't want to say cancel, because we'd still like to do it. We don't want it to end. We were the founders of this sort of thing in Britain. It's caught on, but it's something we like, it's very well known, we get massive crowds. We like to bring people into cycling and it's good for the town.

"The council likes it, it's on our side. Local businesses like it too. It's just British Cycling.

"I have spoken directly to the head of competition at British Cycling, and they've said we have to do it on a weekday if we want to be part of the National Circuit Series."

A spokeswoman for British Cycling said: "We are yet to receive any approach from the Newport Nocturne in relation to staging an event this year.

"If we were to receive one, we would happily provide the organisers with as much support as we could. The National Circuit Series events are finalised for this year, however the Newport Nocturneis free to stage its event as and when it thinks is most appropriate."