Weather scuppers Girls Aloud show

There is not enough time for the concert venue to dry out

A concert in aid of a children's charity which had Girls Aloud as the headline act has been called off.

Waterlogged grounds at the Beamish Hall Country House Hotel in County Durham have caused the show to be cancelled.

A 60ft outdoor stage was to be erected for the "Hope 4 Kidz" event, but the charity said the state of the grounds meant that was not now possible.

Tribute acts were also due to perform at the festival on Sunday and Monday. All ticket money will be refunded.

'Hottest band'

Viv Watts of the charity said she was "devastated".

She said: "I am completely distraught at what has happened, but the grounds have been examined this morning and it is absolutely impossible for a stage to be built in these conditions.

"Even if the rain stops now, there isn't enough time for the ground to dry out and the stage to be erected.

"For us to have been lucky enough to get the country's hottest band to perform and then have to call it off at the last minute is just devastating."