The Economic Development Committee is considering allowing UK bingo halls into the island.

But St Peter's raises almost a quarter of its funding for the annual Flowers parade through bingo nights.

It is worried that if commercial bingo halls are introduced then people would no longer support them.

There is no reason why it should be squeezed out Sir Peter Fry

Chairman Pauline Clarke said: "The bingo halls that I know of in England have a very good following and they have quite a good atmosphere so I think people would be pulled away from our side.

"We always do car washes, a jumble sale and other fund raisers, but we would be very hard pressed to find something that would better the bingo."

But Sir Peter Fry, chairman of the UK Bingo Association, said charities would not be badly affected.

"I do understand the concern of the charities, but in Britain as a whole there is a great variety of bingo that still exists," he said.

"Less than half the bingo that is played is in the commercial clubs.

"There is no reason why it should be squeezed out."