Derbyshire County Show cancelled after heavy rain

Organisers said the ground was too soft to put on the show safely

This year's Derbyshire County Show has been cancelled due to wet conditions.

The show ground at Elvaston is under water following heavy rain at the weekend and further showers overnight.

Up to 10,000 people were expected to attend the annual event on Sunday

Edward Hicklin, chairman of the Derbyshire, Agricultural and Horticultural Society, said the decision to cancel was " really difficult" but unavoidable.

Heavy rain has left much of the site under water

The 120-acre site was hit by heavy rain on Tuesday night, leaving standing water on most of the ground.

Mr Hicklin said: "All the ditches have over-flowed, the car parks are in standing water, the light horse rings have got water in them and where the 600 sheep should have been, that's all standing water."

More than 500 horses were supposed to be attending the show - now in its 142nd year - along with 100 cattle, 120 trade stands and 40 catering outlets.

'Huge financial loss'

Mr Hicklin said: "We’ve a responsibilityy to all of our exhibitors and the public to put on a nice safe show, it's just not the right thing to do."

"We looked at temporary road surfaces but its too late for that, and we simply haven't got the money."

Organisers said they would be in touch with exhibitors, traders and sponsors in due course.

All tickets and membership already purchased will automatically be credited to the original payment method within the next 7 days.

Mr Hicklin said: "Its going to be a huge financial loss for the society."

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