By Chris Story

Last updated at 12:57, Monday, 02 July 2012

Wet weather has claimed northern England’s biggest village show as a casualty.

Organisers of Skelton Show say there is no chance of their showfield, at Hutton-in-the-Forest, near Penrith, drying out before Saturday.

Their decision to called it off, which they say was taken with “heavy heart and much regret”, follows days of rain.

Skelton, which attracts crowds of about 10,000, is one of the highlights of the Cumbrian summer show season. There had been record entries and trade stand numbers for this year’s event.

Chairman Adam Fawcett said it was “extremely disappointing” that the show would not be going ahead.

Because of the packed summer schedule, the committee say it is impossible to rearrange for another date.

Director John Slee said: “We hope everybody understands that it would have been irresponsible to continue this weekend in one of the wettest summers on record.”

Treasurer Beverly Bargh added: “Obviously postponement will incur additional costs and, while exhibitors and sponsors will be given the opportunity of a refund, it is hoped that they will be willing to roll forward money paid to next years show which will be held on July 6.”

Skelton had moved places in the show calendar to the first Saturday in July in a bid to avoid weather-related problems.

Although the main show will not go ahead, the show jumping classes will take place at Nord Vue, Armathwaite, on Saturday.

Recovery, meanwhile, is continuing from the flash floods that struck in Cumbria last Thursday, with water flooding some homes in Eden and causing landslips along the West Coast Mainline and on the line between Carlisle and Newcastle.

Northern Rail today said services between Cumbria and the north east had returned to normal after work to strengthen rail embankments following the wet weather had been completed.

Weather forecasters predict rain will continue in Cumbria throughout this week.

High ground in particular is expected to be wet tonight

There were no flood alerts or warnings in place in Cumbria this morning.

First published at 11:25, Monday, 02 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk