A POPULAR county event has apologised after a misleading Facebook post prompted rude and offensive emails to be sent to councillors.

The Welland Steam Rally posted on Facebook claiming that Little Malvern and Welland Parish Council was trying to stop the event from taking place next year, which was wholeheartedly denied by the council, prompting the post to be later removed.

The post came after this year's event was held on Woodside Farm, Welland, from Friday, July 28 to Sunday, July 30. It featured a wide array of activities including steam train rides, tug of war, a craft tent and a farmers market.

However, some took to social media to complain that it was disruptive and created traffic problems.

Following the event, Welland Steam Rally encouraged supporters to email councillors objecting to any attempts to prevent the event from taking place.

READ MORE: Parish council denies it wants to stop Welland Steam Rally

However, the page later apologised to Welland Parish Councillors for the post. 

A spokesperson for the Welland Steam Rally said: "The Parish Council have asked us to make it clear that they have never discussed stopping the Steam Rally.

"Apologies must go to any Parish Councillors for the distress caused by some of the emails they received.

"We look forward to working together with the Parish Council and taking our Annual Steam & Country Rally from strength to strength."

A spokesperson for the Little Malvern and Welland Parish Council said the emails they received following the post were rude and offensive.

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They said: "The Rally organisers have now apologised for last week’s offending social media post, for misrepresenting the Parish Council and for publishing the email addresses of councillors with an encouragement to their 13,000 followers to send them personal emails.

"Of the comments posted and the 26 emails received by councillors many were rude and offensive, but many were very critical of the parking and traffic management arrangements that have led to the severe travel disruption in Welland, Castlemorton and Hanley Swan on the days of the Rally for several years.

"The post has now been taken down by the organisers and the misuse of email addresses is being investigated.

"The Parish Council will be assessing the many concerns received from residents about the travel disruption and expect to be working with the organisers, together with District and County Councils regulatory agents and the Police and Emergency Services, to ensure that sufficient effort and resources are committed to making this annual event an all-round success for visitors and residents."