CLACKMANNANSHIRE Council has cancelled the annual Shamrock Festival which was due to be held in Alloa Town Hall after online footage emerged of a crowd chanting 'IRA' at last year's gathering.

The local authority has confirmed that it pulled the plug on the event which was set for Friday 29 June.

It said the decision was made after "offensive" activities carried out during the 2011 event came to light.

Council chief executive, Elaine McPherson, explained, "The council's policy states that community facilities may not be used for any activities considered by the council to be offensive. We recently became aware of evidence of activities and behaviour at last year's event which fall into that category." Council officers met with the applicant for the let, on 29 May, and explained their decision.

Council leader, Gary Womersley, said he supported the decision, "I have seen the evidence regarding the offensive activities and agree with the decision to cancel the let.

"The activities are unacceptable in terms of our policy and inappropriate in a publicly subsidised building." Leader of the opposition, councillor Bobby McGill, also backed the move, saying, "Having been made aware of and seen the evidence of the activities and behaviour at last year's event, I fully back the decision to cancel this booking." The Advertiser understands this was in relation to a YouTube clip, in which people can clearly be heard singing 'IRA' repeatedly at last year's St Mungo's Shamrock Alloa & District event in the town hall.

Organisers of the Shamrock Festival declined to comment.