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Show cancelled over site mudbath Show cancelled over site mudbath
(about 5 hours later)
The first day of the Royal Lancashire Show has been closed to the public because of the state of the ground, organisers have said. The Royal Lancashire Show has been cancelled after bad weather left the showground in bad condition.
Heavy rain on Wednesday night turned areas of the field, near Barton, into a mudbath when vehicles arrived to begin setting up on Thursday.Heavy rain on Wednesday night turned areas of the field, near Barton, into a mudbath when vehicles arrived to begin setting up on Thursday.
The animal classes will go ahead on Friday but the showground cannot be accessed by members of the public. Animal classes went ahead on Friday and it was hoped the showground would be open to the public over the weekend.
It is hoped the agricultural event can go ahead as planned at 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 We're all gutted Gordon Roberts, show chairman Chairman Gordon Roberts said an "army" of agricultural contractors had been trying to repair the damage and was hopeful of getting the showground open.
Chairman Gordon Roberts said an "army" of agricultural contractors had been trying to repair the damage. "We're keeping our fingers crossed but obviously it's very early days and we need to see what we can get done," he said earlier.
"We're keeping our fingers crossed but obviously it's very early days and we need to see what we can get done," he said.
Mr Roberts said workers would be trying to create safe walkways to allow access to the worst affected areas.
"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.""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'Oldest' show
Last year's entire show was cancelled after weeks of heavy rain waterlogged the site in Ribchester. Last year's show was cancelled after 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.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.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.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.It is also one of the most popular events in Lancashire during the summer and tens of thousands of people were expected to attend.