Fair's last day cancelled by rain

Heavy rain turned the ground into a quagmire

The final day of a famous Cumbrian show has been called off due to heavy rain.

It is the first time in the 35-year history of the Lowther Horse Driving Trails and Country Fair that there has been a cancellation.

Some 30,000 visitors had been expected to arrive at the site at Askham, near Penrith, on Sunday.

However, organisers said they had no choice but to call it off after a night of heavy rainfall turned the ground into a quagmire.

The clear-up operation was hampered by heavy rain and tractors were used to help exhibitors recover their stands and stalls.

The fair is run on a non-profit making basis and since 1973 has made donations of more than £280,000 to different countryside organisations.