WET weather didn’t just dampen spirits in Yorkshire.

It cost the local economy millions of pounds after key events were forced to be cancelled.

A string of countryside events, including the Great Yorkshire Show, Honley Show and the Harden Moss Sheepdog Trials have had to be called off this year after torrential downpours caused flooding and waterlogged fields.

Now, it is estimated the washout cost the country’s rural economy more than £150m, according to research by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

CLA north regional director Dorothy Fairburn said: “Not only is it heartbreaking when decisions are taken to cancel an event, the direct and indirect economic impacts can be devastating for all concerned.

“This quick analysis clearly shows that at least £150m has been lost to the rural economy, affecting those who organise the events, those who exhibit and trade, and those who attend for a great day out.

“For local economies, the knock-on effects could lead to small family firms going out of business at a time when trading conditions are fragile and the UK economy is in a double-dip recession.”

Based on calculations from the figures reported when an event is cancelled, the CLA estimate that around £30m was lost in the cancellation of Badminton, £4.5m from the Great Yorkshire Show after it was cancelled on the first day and £5m from the Suffolk Show cancelled on the second day.

The CLA said the total cost to the rural economy, including all the agricultural shows and horse events cancelled this summer, could be much higher at more than £240m if smaller events, such as Bingley Show, the North Yorkshire County Show, point-to-points and other local agricultural events are taken into account.