A society which has staed concerts in Abingdon for four decades has been forced to stop because of spiralling costs.

Members of the Theatre Organ Preservation Society said that they would need to nearly treble the price of tickets for the regular concerts to meet the increased costs of hiring the Abbey Hall, in the Guildhall.

Escalating fees for organists were also to blame, said Carol Turner, who comperes the concerts.

She said: “Unfortunately, after 42 years, like many clubs in the town, we’re one club that has been affected by price increases and sadly it’s not viable to continue paying the going rate. We’re literally priced out.

“The hire charge on the hall has gone up and by the time you take into account the outgoing expenses, it’s too much. It’s going to be a big miss for Abingdon.”

The final concert, by Nicholas Martin, will be held on Sunday, January 25, at 3pm.

The society is looking for a new home for its organ.

abingdon@oxfordmail.co.uk