TWO popular Cumbrian shows planned for this summer have been cancelled.

Cartmel Agricultural Show has been cancelled for the second year running. Organisers say the popular summer show has been shelved for this year, but they are looking into the possibility of hosting individual events on a smaller scale.

A spokesperson for the Cartmel Show Management Committee said: “It is with a heavy heart that the Management Committee have concluded there will be no show in 2021.

“We are however looking at the possibilities of individual section events. Further updates of these will follow in due course.

"Next year we celebrate 150 years of Cartmel Agricultural Society - we would love you to share your photos and memories of past shows as we build up to our special year.

“Our focus now is on delivering an extra special Cartmel Show on Wednesday 3 August 2022, we look forward to celebrating together then.”

The show is normally held at Cartmel Racecourse, near Grange over Sands and features prize-winning animal shows, heavy horse parades, terrier racing plus gourmet food and drink stalls plus family attractions.

Traditional Lakeland sporting event Ambleside Sports has also been cancelled for the second year in a row.

The organisers have cited uncertainty around the lifting of Covid restrictions as the reason for the cancellation.

President Mr Jak Hirst said: “It is with really heavy hearts that we reached this decision. We are all bitterly disappointed, and we know that our competitors in the many arenas, and our trading partners, will be disappointed too. But there is still too much uncertainty about what the summer holds, and it is a burden too great for a group of volunteers.”

Despite the easing of lockdown restrictions, the organisers state that managing the event for the potential thousands of visitors is not viable. The committee have said that they plan to put all of their efforts into making the 2022 event bigger and better than ever. The show hosts track and cycling races, hound racing and wrestling.

Committee member Robin Dean said: "We desperately wanted to put on an event to raise spirits and allow people to have some fun after the awfulness of the pandemic, but it’s just too soon for us to be sure that we could stage a perfectly safe event which was also enjoyable.”