Harrow will lose its annual summer spectacular this year as the Conservative-run council has decided to cancel the extravaganza.

Each year thousands flock to Under One Sky, a summer event packed with music, sport, great food and entertainment for all ages, but it will not go ahead this year, the Observer can reveal.

The open air festival, which took place in Byron Recreation Ground in Christchurch Avenue, Wealdstone, last year and was previously held at Kodak Sports Ground in Harrow View, Harrow, is a celebration of the borough's diversity and provides a platform for sport, cultural and activity groups to showcase their cause.

It is to be replaced by an event celebrating Harrow's 60th anniversary of being declared a London borough.

When in opposition in July last year, Councillor Susan Hall (Conservative) voiced concerns about how Under One Sky was funded after the council had to subsidise the 2013 event when coming up £7,000 short.

The now-leader of the council said at the time: "I am concerned that the amount of funding raised through sponsorship fell more than four times short of the target, especially given that in previous years it used to be funded largely by sponsorship income alone.

"It would seem that the finances behind the event this year are more pie in the sky than Under One Sky."

Having now scrapped the event for 2014, she told the Observer: “This is the year of Harrow’s 60th anniversary as a London borough, so it seems quite proper that the focus this year is on a family event in the town centre which celebrates that landmark through a range of activities."

Terry Revill, of Edgware-based performing arts project Flash Musicals, which ran its own tent at the event last year, said: “I think it is a real shame because we love doing community events.

“It was just fantastic last year, so we are very disappointed.”

Philip Barnett, choral director of Harrow Tonic Choir, said: “We have sung at Under One Sky twice and we have found it a very satisfying experience.

“All we can hope for is that this is not a permanent cancellation as it is a great event.

“It is fair to say that running the same thing year after year can lead to complacency, so hopefully by shaking things up a bit this year we can see Under One Sky return soon and as good as ever.”

Under One Sky was created by the Labour administration in 2005, and has been held every summer except in 2012 when security demands during the Olympics meant that holding the event was not feasible.

Councillor David Perry, leader of the opposition Labour group, said: "[Council leader] Susan Hall and the Conservatives do not understand the make-up of the community in Harrow and what Under One Sky really means for the people of this borough.

"It's a time in the summer where young and old from all cultures come together and amongst all the doom and gloom at the moment we need that community spirit.

"This is our flagship community event which puts Harrow on the map, and to lose it would be devastating."

Ms Hall added: “There is only a limited budget allocation for civic celebrations, and I am sure people would agree it is sensible to use that money to concentrate on one event in this special year.”