Show cancelled over site mudbath

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The Royal Lancashire Show has been cancelled for the second year running

The Royal Lancashire Show has been cancelled for the second year in a row because of bad weather.

Heavy rain on Wednesday night turned areas of the showground, near Barton, into a mudbath when vehicles arrived to begin setting up on Thursday.

Animal classes went ahead on Friday and it was hoped the showground would be open to the public over the weekend.

But further rain meant organisers took the difficult decision to cancel the agricultural event altogether.

We're all gutted Gordon Roberts, show chairman

Chairman Gordon Roberts said an "army" of agricultural contractors had been trying to repair the damage.

"We're all gutted. We cancelled last year because of all the torrential rain and the bad weather, and it looks like the rain has got us again."

'Oldest' show

Last year's show was cancelled when weeks of heavy rain waterlogged the site in Ribchester.

This year the show was moved to a new permanent site on the Duchy of Lancaster Estate.

It is the first time the show has been held at the new 300-acre location, just off the A6 road near the village of Bilsborrow.

Dating back to 1767, the Royal Lancashire Show is believed to be one of the oldest agricultural shows in England.

It is also one of the most popular events in Lancashire during the summer and tens of thousands of people were expected to attend.