BOLTON Show has been cancelled for the first time in its 30-year history due to bad weather.

Council leaders on Wednesday scrapped this weekend's two-day event after the wettest August on record left Leverhulme Park waterlogged.

Up to 90,000 people were expected to attend what was billed as the biggest free show in Bolton.

Organisers scrapped the show fearing the ground conditions would be unsafe and thousands of visitors and vehicles would cause long term damage to the park.

Council chiefs believed that even if it did not rain for the rest of the week the ground would not dry out in time for the weekend.

But the fairground -- and a fireworks display on Saturday night -- are still due to go ahead as planned as they are in a different part of the park which is not so badly affected.

The Dog Show has also been moved to Tonge Fold playing fields where the ground is firmer

Plans are also in the pipeline for some of the acts, including the children's entertainers, to take place in Victoria Square over the weekend.

Bolton Council's commercial services staff had been monitoring the park over the last two weeks and left the decision as late as possible.

Recreation chiefs today said it was believed they would not have been able to guarantee the health, safety and welfare of visitors and participants if the main elements of the show went ahead.

Cllr Roger Hayes, Executive Member for Direct Services and Area Working, said: "It is very unfortunate that we have had to cancel the show, but we cannot compromise on the issue of health and safety and the police have supported our decision.

"We also have to be aware of the effect that major damage to the park would have on the local community and sports teams who use the park all year round."

The show has been hit by weather before. In 1998, it was abandoned on the Sunday afternoon after a weekend of torrential rain.

Council leader Cllr Barbara Ronson said: "It's a great shame that Bolton Show has been cancelled. However, if there are fears over health and safety then we cannot ignore them.

"The show is open to thousands of people and it would have been foolish to let the show continue. I'm sure it will be a great disappointment to a lot of people."

The council is not insured against the show being cancelled because it would have cost too much. It will only have to pay for some goods, including hired equipment.

On Saturday, the stage was due to have kicked off at noon, featuring young talent and a number of workshops. Later, the Houghton Weavers were among the bands due to perform.

Sunday's entertainment was also due to start at noon with World and Asian sounds featuring local groups and a 12-piece steel band from London. Among the other attractions planned was a bird of prey demonstration, the Bolddog Lings motorcycle display team and performances by the Pen-Lyn Musical Dressage Display team.

Disappointed Andy Godbold, from the motorbike team, said: "It is five years since we have been in Bolton and we were looking forward to coming back with a new display."

More than 200 local women were also due to have competed in a rounders competition at the show.

Melanie Berry, organiser of the Bolton Inter-district Rounders Competition, said: "We're disappointed that it cannot go ahead. The pitches are waterlogged and we can't find another venue at such short notice. We will probably hold the competition next year."

"It was due to be a very special year for us because the family of Doreen Davies, who organised the event for many years before she died, had donated a memorial cup."