Purslow Show axed for first time in its history

Organisers of yesterday's Purslow Show near Clunbury in south Shropshire said they had been left with little choice but to cancel the event after sustained downpours. More than a thousand people were due to attend including more than 50 runners taking part in the Purslow Hill Race.

Show secretary Annie Sutton said the decision had been made on Saturday after an inspection of the show ground by the committee.

She said: "It would have been unsafe to hold the show. We could not get traffic from the road onto the field.

"A tractor on the field was sinking into the ground. If there had been an emergency an ambulance would not have been able to get on or off the field. It was just too heavy underfoot after the rain. It's the first time in show history we have had to cancel.

"I don't think the show will be rearranged for this year. If we held the show during July it would give us a bit more time but the August bank holiday weekend is the last time many people have free before the summer holidays end."

She added: "We should be okay to hold the show next year because we have always had a two-year wet policy to hold money behind in case something like this happens.

"If we have another wet show next year we can always hold fundraising events."

This year's event was due to include a dog show, mountain bike display team, vintage tractors and cars, five-a-side-football, a crafts and produce tent, paint balling, Punch and Judy shows, the Streetbeatz dance troupe, children's races, face painting, donkey rides, sheep shearing, lucky draw, bar and refreshments.

People due to attend the show were forewarned of the cancellation through media announcements.