Show called off for second year

Heavy rain churned the show ground into mud

A prestigious county show called off after heavy rain in August will not take place in 2009.

The Lowther Show and Horse Driving Trials in Cumbria was cancelled for the first time in its 35 year history when the ground became a quagmire.

An inspection of the site at Askham, near Penrith, found no improvement, prompting the announcement on Thursday.

The event attracts over 50,000 visitors a year and organisers have said they hope it has a future.

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