A POPULAR Northumberland show has been cancelled for the second year in a row.

Slaley Show has been cancelled due to what the organisers say are ‘new black clouds on the national Covid lockdown release horizon’.

Marge Rastall, show chairman, said: “This year’s show on August 14, which would have been the community’s 160th, has most regretfully been cancelled.

“We delayed our announcement so we could be more certain about what lay ahead but emerging national fears about the spread of yet another Covid variant means the cost risks surrounding the opening of the show field gates are once again too great.

“We were prepared to discuss alternatives to staging a full-blooded show which focused exclusively on outdoor activity.

“But fresh doubts within Westminster itself about unfettered access to public events after mid-summer, persuaded us that we must once again be patient.”

Slaley show dates back to 1845, and has sustained during a succession of national crises, including world wars and animal disease epidemics.

Philip Cain, show committee vice-chairman, said: “Our expectation is that interest in our August 2022 show will be huge because so many people will be keen to once again enjoy a traditional show atmosphere and also be able to meet up with their friends.”