THIS year’s Wessex Midsummer Vintage Show planned for the coming weekend has been cancelled because of the weather.

The two-day event on Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16 was due to have taken place on farmland owned by Peter Bond just off the A361 at Semington.

Eric Gay, chairman of Wessex Stationary Engine Club, said: “It’s very unfortunate but we have had to cancel it because of the weather.

“The forecast for the weekend is rain and we have more than £6,000 tied up to open the show. I can’t have my staff working in the pouring rain and the equipment will all get wet.”

Mr Gay said he had been forced to take a decision on Tuesday evening to cancel the event, which generally attracts more than 300 exhibitors and 1,000 visitors each day.

Proceeds from the show, which promised fun for all the family, would have gone to support the Children’s Hospice South West.