Badminton Horse trials called off
The Badminton Horse Trials have been called off this year due to the foot and mouth crisis.
About 250,000 potential visitors will be left disappointed by the cancellation of the world famous three-day event which had been due to start on May 3.
For the past two weeks, access to the show site in Badminton, Gloucestershire, has been barred and the situation is not likely to change in the foreseeable future, sponsors Mitsubishi Motors said.
The land is grazed by 500 deer, 1,000 sheep and a herd of Jersey cows and is surrounded by many other livestock farms.
Event director Hugh Thomas said: "This is a very sad day.
"We feel for the riders, the spectators and indeed the trade stands who were so much looking forward to coming here, but we completely understand and support the view that any risk of spreading this awful disease is unacceptable."
