Organisers called the cancellation a 'big disappointment'

The Royal Welsh Winter Fair, to be staged later this month in Builth Wells, was to have featured 240 classes of birds, including chickens and ducks.

Fair chief executive David Walters said it was a "big disappointment", but organisers had taken the decision as a precautionary measure.

The ban has been imposed on the import of commercial birds.

The Welsh Assembly Government brought in emergency legislation last week on the sale and display of birds at markets, shows, and fairs as a precaution against the potential spread of bird flu - which has not yet reached the UK.

It is in line with similar bans in Scotland and England.

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"It is a big disappointment, but the decision has been taken because of the perceived risk to health and we must adhere to expert advice in these matters," said the fair's Mr Walters.

"The poultry will be greatly missed by visitors to the winter fair and by our many enthusiastic poultry exhibitors, but we must now look forward to the return of normal conditions for the spring festival and summer show in July where the poultry show is a very popular attraction."

The Winter Fair Poultry Show is run under the auspices of the Poultry Club of Great Britain.

Some 240 classes, special awards and championships were scheduled for the fair and entries were expected from many parts of the country.

The winter fair takes place on the Royal Welsh showground at Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells, on 28 and 29 November.

None of the other sections featuring cattle, sheep, pigs and horses are affected by restrictions.