Spring festival cancelled due to wet weather

The festival is held in Clun every year and attracts several thousand visitors

A festival held in Shropshire each year to herald the arrival of spring has been cancelled due to the wet winter.

The Clun Green Man Festival has taken place in the town for centuries and "draws on myths, fairy tales and folklore, and re-imagines the time-old tale of seasonal change".

But although Clun valley experiences wet winters, organisers said months of rain have compromised the event's field to such an extent, it will not recover in time for the event due to be staged on the May Day Bank Holiday weekend.

Customers who have bought tickets will be given a full refund, they added.

In a statement on social media, organisers said due to "the wettest winter for a very long time" they had to consider the safety of performers and traders.

"Sadly, this has compromised the festival site to such a degree that we feel that there is zero chance that the castle field will recover in time for the event," they said.

"And so, it is with regard to the safety of our performers, our traders, our audience and not mention the on-going health of the field itself, that we the festival committee have agreed that it would be irresponsible to proceed with this year's festival."

Organisers apologised for cancellation and thanked people for their support.