CLA Game Fair at Belvoir Castle cancelled due to rain

Persistent rain has caused one of the largest countryside events in the world to be cancelled.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) Game Fair was expected to attract about 150,000 people to Belvoir Castle next weekend.

A break from the rain this week was not enough to dry out the waterlogged site in Leicestershire.

Businesses and the local economy are expected to lose about £32m because of the cancellation.

The event is held at different locations each year and it has only been cancelled once before in its 54-year history.

Organisers said it would be impossible to set the show up because thousands of vehicle movements were still required.

The Duke of Rutland, who was due to host the event at his castle this year, said: "I join with all those who are disappointed that the fair is not to go ahead - visitors, exhibitors and all those in the hunting, shooting and fishing fraternity. It's dreadfully sad news.

"I am very sorry that terrible weather conditions affecting the United Kingdom has resulted in the cancellation of the 2012 CLA Game Fair here at Belvoir."

The event was due to to take place from 20 to 22 July.

About 900 businesses had booked space and the fair is so popular that no hotel rooms were available in a 40-mile radius.

It has been estimated that the local economy could lose out by as much as £32m.

CLA director-general Helen Woolley said the show's construction team had battled the elements from "dawn to dusk" to give the show its best possible chance of going ahead.

"Sadly, you can't always buck the weather and with the exceptionally high level of rain in the weeks running up to the show it has proved impossible to build the event and to run it safely," she said.

Everyone who has bought a ticket in advance or booked space at the event will be able to get a full refund.