The group also rebutted allegations, which it claims are unfounded, about fighting, insults and extreme piques, in relation to the feast, normally held in the first week of June.

The group said the tension in the parish was created when parish priest Fr Manuel Abela spoke from the altar and encouraged others to decorate for the feast which he promised he was going to organise himself for the first time. The group said everyone had found it convenient to not mention a public contract which the parish priest had signed two years ago and which now, the group claimed, is being breached.

The only way to sort out the issue, said the group, was to honour the contract which the parish priest originally signed.

The group said it was ready to sit at the discussion table in the hope of organising the feast next year. The group reserved the right to take legal action over the issue.