Great Yorkshire Show cancelled (From Echo)

Great Yorkshire Show cancelled

8:57pm Tuesday 10th July 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

One of the country's largest agricultural shows has been cancelled after just a day because of the appalling weather.

The annual Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate was due to last another two days.

But after the wet weather made the show's car parks "too muddy to use with any safety", the organisers threw in the towel and gave in to the torrential rain.

The show's director Bill Cowling described the decision as "heartbreaking".

It came after yet another deluge this afternoon in what has been one of the wettest summers for years.

Mr Cowling, in the statement published on the show's website, said: "This has been the most difficult decision that I have ever had to make. It is heartbreaking for all concerned, our exhibitors, our visitors and, of course, our staff.

"The decision has been made because our car parks have become too muddy to use with any safety, and the safety of our visitors has to come first.

"We are also conscious of our neighbours and did not want to risk people parking inconsiderately in Harrogate. We will be refunding all those who have bought tickets in advance and talking to our exhibitors."

The show, in its 154th year, was expected to attract more than 130,000 visitors.

The show's statement added that extensive preparations had been made to combat the wet weather, including installing new roads and new drainage systems.