BOLTON show will go on - well parts of it at least. That is the message from Bolton Council after it was forced to cancel the show for the first time in its 30-year history.

Due to the recent bad weather, Leverhulme Park has been deemed to be too waterlogged for the extravaganza to go ahead.

And that means disappointment for the 90,000 vistors expected to turn up this weekend for the two-day event.

Organisers scrapped the event on health and safety grounds but they are reassuring the public that parts of the show are still going ahead, albeit at different locations.

The spectacular firework display on Saturday is expected to go off with a bang at the park as planned at 9.30pm - weather permitting. The fun fair is open on both days from noon until 6pm and has something for everyone.

And the popular dog show has been relocated to Tonge Fold playing fields and runs from noon until 5pm.

Shoppers in the town centre will also be entertained after many of the children's acts were moved to Victoria Square.

There will be a programme of events on both days, starting at 11am on Saturday and noon on Sunday.

Among the attractions will be ventriloquist Ward Allen with Roger the Dog and the punch and judy show, Miles of Smiles together with Deano the Clown.

The marching band Ambassadors of Borrowash will be also be performing and there will be a static falconry display by Impact.

The shows will run until around 3pm.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "We were determined to put on a show of some kind.

"We wanted to make sure the people of Bolton did not lose out completely.

"It will be nice for the shoppers in the town centre, particularly the children."

Many of the acts have expressed their disappointment at the cancellation but have pledged to return next year.