CHESTER City supporters have been robbed of the chance to pay an official tribute to their team's Conference championship triumph.

They are the losers in a fiasco which ended in a city bus tour planned for tonight (Friday) being cancelled on Tuesday.

It was called off by the club, which said it had only three players available to take part and manager Mark Wright is on holiday at short notice.

A statement on the club's website also referred to concerns by police and the council, and apologised to 'the loyal fans who were going to attend'.

Chester police strongly refuted claims they were responsible for the cancellation of the eagerly awaited tour, nearly four weeks after City had clinched promotion back to the Football League.

Insp Geoff Williams said: 'It had been agreed by all parties to hold the tour on Friday, but we had concerns about the possibility of more than 6,000 people being around the town hall, with the danger of crushing.

'We needed to keep the tour bus moving around the streets to help spread the supporters out. We were resourcing the event when we had a call from the club to tell us it was being cancelled.'

A problem also facing organisers was a three-day French market intended to take place on the town hall square this weekend, but this appeared to be overcome by the evening timing of the tour.

Chester City Council's chief executive Paul Durham said: 'We share people's disappointment that the parade will not take place. The event was agreed with all the parties involved, including the club and the police, and we are sad that the fans will not have this chance to celebrate their team's success.

'However, the players have had a very tough season and it is understandable if they now need a break. Let's focus on helping them get ready over the summer to repeat this year's success next season.'

Supporters' spokesman Barrie Hipkiss said: 'I feel very disappointed for the fans who had been looking forward to it. Other clubs like Norwich City and Plymouth have managed to hold parades.

'Whoever is to blame, the whole affair is very shabby and maybe this particular date should not have been chosen. Ideally, it should have happened as soon as possible after clinching promotion.'

Also cancelled is a presentation dinner at the Moat House Hotel, scheduled for a week tonight, because of lack of interest.