Children have played on the pitch for as long as people can remember

The age old tradition has been brought to an end by Carmarthenshire's safety committee, made up of police, council, ambulance and fire officials.

They say having up to 300 people running on and off the field during the break is an unacceptable risk.

But the ban has been branded as 'officialdom run riot'.

We've all been part of the tradition and looked forward to our kids continuing it Supporters chairman Jason Richards

The Scarlets Supporters' Club will meet on Thursday to discuss its response to the ban, which will come in to force at Saturday's Celtic League game against Edinburgh.

Supporters' club chairman Jason Richards said: "I just don't understand it - it was one of the things that made Stradey special.

"I've been coming here 30-odd years and there's never been any problems.

"We've all been part of the tradition and looked forward to our kids continuing it."

Atmosphere

The club says it has no option but to enforce the decision otherwise it could lose its safety certificate and ability to play matches at Stradey.

Sports historian Peter Stead said he remembered running onto the pitch at half-time as a boy.

"This is just ludicrous," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"This is officialdom run riot and does seriously threaten the atmosphere at Stradey.

By law, the numbers of people in each part of the stadium have to be controlled, and particularly in a capacity game Sue Watts

"Stradey is unique and unique not just because of the Welsh speaking and general atmosphere but because of the number of youngsters who are there."

Safety committee chairwoman Sue Watts said the decision was made to reduce the risk of injury to players and to stop overcrowding in parts of the ground during the second half.

"Items such as jewellery, glasses, coins or keys have been dropped on the pitch and it is not feasible to check the whole area before the players return to the field," she said.

Law

"Secondly, the migration of people from one part of the ground to the other cannot be controlled.

"By law, the numbers of people in each part of the stadium have to be controlled, and particularly in a capacity game.

"It would be impossible to do this when 300 people are running on and off the pitch.

"There is no guarantee they would return to the part of the stadium they should be in and the Scarlets would be in breach of health and safety legislation should one area be found to contain more people than allowed by law."