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There's been many a snigger and double entendre made about the Nottingham's famous Goose Fair Cock on a Stick.

But after this year's fun-filled spectacular of thrilling rides, hook-a-duck and mushy peas, the fair's oldest tradition will be consigned to history.

Stallholder Ray Brooks, who is fast approaching 89, has decided to call it a day after nearly 70 years of raising a smile at the annual event with the cheeky novelty.

With no-one to carry on the tradition started by his grandfather in the 19th century, the iconic bird will become extinct.

(Image: Joseph Raynor)

Anyone who has seen his stall at the Forest Reaction Ground will know that the delicacy is a colourful cockerel-shaped lollipop, which comes in three sizes - small, medium and giant.

The pensioner, who says he's never missed a year, makes the cocks by hand at his home in St Ann's - a task he begins in July because it's a slow and time-consuming job crafting and shaping the chewy, sugary birds.

He uses a secret recipe passed down by his grandfather Ben Whitehead, of Arnold.

According to Nottingham Hidden History Team, he created a cockerel rather than a white goose which was already popular more than 100 years ago and the ladies of Nottingham referred to the birds as "cocks".

(Image: Dan Westwell)

“I had just come out of the RAF when I started doing this and I’ve never looked back," says Ray, who has the tiniest pitch on the site.

Straight-faced he adds: "There's a lot in a name. A lot of prim young girls say 'I will have one of those' and I say 'one of what?'"