EMLEY Show is off.
Organisers cancelled the event yesterday.
It was due to take place a week tomorrow, but the grounds have been swamped by incessant rain.
A statement from the organisers, the show council, said: “The council regret that they have had to cancel what would have been the 90th show.
“Constant rain over the summer has given the showground no chance to absorb or recover.
“The short-term forecast is for more of the same.
“We have to consider the safety of all our visitors, competitors, their animals and exhibitors.”
The statement added: “Fortunately the show is strong financially and its long-term future is not threatened by this setback.
“We look forward to seeing all our supporters again next year.”
The show council, which inspected the grounds on Tuesday, said 60% of parking had also been washed out, adding to the public hazard.
Show chairman Mike Hall said: “It’s very sad – a year’s work down the tubes.
“There was a lot of soul-searching before we made the decision, but in my mind it was inevitable.
“There was a lot of standing water, small lakes in places.
“It wasn’t all bad, but in some places the water was ankle deep.”
Mr Hall said there would have been a record number of entries in the horse section of this year’s show.
He said the job of contacting competitors had already begun.
And he added that the long-term plan for the show council was to secure a permanent showground.
He said: “Having a permanent ground would potentially prevent problems on this scale.’’
