Organisers say the ground could not take the huge marquees

Organisers have been assessing the site at Ribchester for the show in two weeks time and said it would be "incompetent" to let the show go on.

There are concerns that cars would sink in the mud and that the River Ribble may burst its banks.

Chairman Gordon Roberts said: "It's difficult, it's regrettable, but we've gone off the best advice we can get."

David Marriot, event co-ordinator, said: "Various teams have worked through the bad weather to try to get the site ready, but we just had to call a halt to it - the ground is just far too wet.

"The odd vehicle that was allowed on site was just sinking in the mud and we're rather nervous about the height of the River Ribble as it's almost over the sides."

"If we'd have carried on it would have been sheer incompetence." David Marriot, Event co-ordinator

"If we'd have put heavy vehicles onto this land it would have been ripped to shreds, guaranteed."

Organisers are planning a permanent site for the show in the future on the Duchy of Lancaster Estate in Myerscough, which they could protect against rain to prevent a washout.

With more rain forecast Mr Marriot said they could not afford to take any chances.

"We couldn't wait till next week to start to put the showground together - even if we worked 24 hours a day, it wouldn't happen.