A POPULAR fireworks event has been cancelled after a period of heavy rainfall has left the ground too soft.

The Basingstoke Firework Spectacular due to take place in War Memorial Park on Saturday has been called off.

Following last year’s successful show which saw hundreds gather to watch the array of explosives, organisers had hoped this event would be another hit with Basingstoke residents.

However Peter Hammond said with regret, organisers had made the tough decision not to proceed.

He said: “Following last year’s success, the Basingstoke Firework Spectacular due to return bigger and better this Saturday, but regrettably it has been cancelled.”

He said: “Conditions in the park are extremely soft and not wishing to damage the ground the organisers reluctantly took the decision earlier in the week to cancel the event. They apologise to all those visitors looking forward to the event and are sorry to disappoint them.”