Neighbouring residents and local businesses have been fighting to stop the event, amid mounting fears that the travellers would cause trouble, only to find the authorities powerless to intervene. Some had offered to pay extra for 24-hour policing.

When the Light and Life Mission was last held in 2001, more than 5,000 travellers arrived in Newbury, and there were widespread rumours of criminal activity – even though reported crime levels were down.

But in a letter to Thames Valley Police, Mr Butler said in a statement: “There will be no annual convention held at Newbury this year.”

Police were prepared to draft in extra officers for the event – on the same weekend as Reading Festival – while West Berkshire Council officials had mobilised three departments to deal with various aspects of public safety.

The council welcomed the news and admitted the event would have had an “unwelcome impact” on Enborne.

With six weeks to go, police will still be stepping up patrols to deal with any unofficial gathering.