AN EVENT which last year drew more than 10,000 to the town has been cancelled due to bad weather.

The National Play Day event, which was due to be held in Eastrop Park today has been scraped due to the forecasters predicting heavy rain throughout the day.  

Planned activities at the free event organised by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council would have included bouncy castles, circus skills, farmyard animals, sports and dance, and plenty of entertaining performances.

A statement from the borough council said: “We’re sorry to have to announce that today’s National Play Day at Eastrop Park has been cancelled due to bad weather. The event was due to run from 11am to 4pm and has been hugely popular in the past.

“We’re sorry to disappoint families who were planning to attend, but the forecast of heavy rain for most of the day means that the planned outdoor activities would be very limited. We apologise for any inconvenience and disappointment caused.”