The sudden cancellation of the 2017 Great Yarmouth Air Show has caused understandable anger and disappointment in the town – and inflicted significant reputational damage to Yarmouth as a major resort.

Lots of local guest houses and hotels and small businesses stand to lose out from the cancellations of holidays which may well now follow from those booking specifically to take in the air show.

I was one of those sceptics a couple of years ago who couldn't even begin to understand why Great Yarmouth Tourism (GYTBIDA) was contemplating running an air show given the experience of our near neighbours Lowestoft who couldn't make theirs pay. I kind of hoped they might prove me wrong.

What I can't excuse – even in these days of 'false news' – is the way they have shamelessly attempted to present the reasons for cancellation re 'Terror bollard cost led to Great Yarmouth Air Show cancellation.' The GYTBIDA cancellation announcement compounded that dishonesty even more by attributing the £130,000 extra cost for the terror threat and the need for numerous concrete bollards around the Golden Mile to a 'board member who wished to remain anonymous'.

Believe me Yarmouth folk are not thick and this lame and unsubstantiated excuse for the cancellation won't fool anyone – even if local MP Brandon Lewis and Radio Norfolk presenter Nick Conrad are prepared to accept 'the terror threat' line at face value. The EDP reports tellingly revealed that 'No planes had been announced for the show.'

I have made it my business as county councillor for the Yarmouth North and Central (which covers the seafront area between Regent Road and the Racecourse) to find out exactly what discussions took place about the need for bollards, etc and I can tell your readers that no information was provided nor any approach made by GY Tourism to Norfolk County Council as the Highway Authority.

The Area Engineer has further confirmed that no approach was made to the area team responsible for street works advice.

Where then do GYTBIDA get any costings for the provision of multiple concrete bollards? And if they were needed for an air show wouldn't they be needed also throughout the main summer season and for bank holidays when the seafront is packed with people?

GYTBIDA have been 'found out' – and it isn't good enough.

Mick Castle, County Councillor for Yarmouth North and Central, Town Wall Road, Great Yarmouth