THE Shaftesbury & Gillingham Spring Countryside Show has been called off amid bad weather.

Organisers said heavy rainfall had left the Turnpike Showground waterlogged, with work on the site unable to start, and they were yet to make a decision over whether to reschedule the event.

A spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, due to recent heavy rainfall, we’ve had to take the difficult decision not to hold our Spring Countryside Show as planned on April 20 and 21.

“Although this date still seems like a long way off, the build period of our show was due to start on April 8, and the predicted forecast isn’t very positive either.”

They said a “lot of the rain” hit the showground on Wednesday and Thursday before Good Friday.

“The extended bank holiday means that it will take a while to get systems in place, and to decide on either a cancelation or postponement of this years event,” the spokesperson added.

“Please give us a working day or two to get our refund system online. Thank you for your patience.”