A POPULAR family attraction will not be returning for a ninth year.

Manydown Family Fun has been based at Scrapps Hill Farm, in Worting Road, for the past eight years, offering visitors an array of farmyard-based attractions and a selection of games and experiences for children.

It was due to reopen for the 2018 season at Easter but organisers have now confirmed that 2017 was the last year of operations at the site.

A statement on the Manydown Family Fun’s Facebook page read: “We have had eight wonderful years operating from Scrapps Hill Farm and have enjoyed every minute.

“Due to not owning the site, the investment needed to maintain the high standards we’ve striven to meet is unfortunately no longer viable.

“We’d like to thank all the loyal families who’ve supported us over the years and kept coming back time and time again.

“Thanks must also go to the great people we’ve worked with over the years and especially Annie and Greg [site managers] who have been instrumental to its success.”

This week, Mark Drummond, business owner, said: “There are no real other alternatives [to not re-opening].

“What we have done has been very well received and popular so I didn’t want it to fail if we couldn’t invest in it.”

The social media update was met with a huge outpouring of sympathy from commenters, lamenting the loss of the family-friendly facility.

One, Joanna Scott, wrote: “A huge loss to Basingstoke! My children have been every year for at least five years and I was really looking forward to bringing our new little one to Manydown for years to come.

“Thank you Manydown Family Fun for the memories.”

Jane Jowett added: “I was really sad to hear this. Manydown has provided some great memories to me and my family/friends. My son also enjoyed working for you the last couple of years. Manydown fun will be sorely missed.”

Mr Drummond added: “It was quite surprising, but very heartwarming how much love there was for us with that post. It is a bit sad to be shutting down but I think we have gone out on a high.”

Mr Drummond added the impending Manydown development in the area was not a factor in the decision to halt the enterprise.