Pirates are calling for a rebellion over the cancellation of a popular festival.

Eastern Daily Press: Pirates in Wells last year. Picture: Ian BurtPirates in Wells last year. Picture: Ian Burt

It has been announced the Wells Pirate Festival will not be going ahead this year.

The event, which raises money for the redevelopment of the historic Wells Maltings building, is due to return in 2018.

But the East Coast Pirates group say they still plan to rampage through the town on the weekend of September 15 to September 17, when the festival was due to be held.

The Wells Maltings Trust, which organises the festival, said in a statement: 'It is with great disappointment and reluctance that The Wells Maltings Trust has decided to cancel the Wells Pirate Festival scheduled for September 15-17.

'The redevelopment of The Maltings has meant that there is a lack of space for some key events which we'd hoped to relocate, but this has proved impossible.

'Additionally our own Captain Blackbeard is about to walk the plank to join a new crew - we will miss the scurvy dog!

'After seven previous successful years The Wells Maltings Trust wish to maintain the standards of previous years and so sadly, for this year only, we have decided we must cancel. For any sponsors, stallholders or entertainers we had previously been in conversation with, we will contact you individually in due course.

'Do not fear the mighty Wells Pirate Festival will return in 2018 with a new home and a new captain.'

East Coast Pirates member Steve Fishpool said: 'There are some disappointed people who had booked accommodation and time off work, so we're going to head to Wells anyway. We hope to do some pirate activities on The Albatros and around the Quay.'

East Coast Pirates said in statement: 'Alas we have been informed the Maltings Trust has cancelled this year's Wells Pirate Festival.

'The East Coast Pirates think what a bunch of landlubbers! Rest assured me hearties, us scallywags will still be attending on September 15-17 to thrill and scare the good general public, if they be bad they go in the drink!

'Many of ye fellow scurvy dawgs have already booked accommodation for this outing.

'Now as fellow pirates we ask that you answer our call for rebellion and stand with us side by side and show these landlubbers that they need us!'