A POPULAR Christmas event was cancelled as Storm Bert hit the county at the weekend.

Egremont Christmas Wonderland, which was due to take place on Sunday, had to be called off due to the severe weather conditions.

Organisers said high winds meant the gazebos and stage could not be intalled and some of the acts were unable to get to Egremont.

Elaine Woodburn, chair of Egremont Town Council and one of the event organisers, said: “We’re absolutely gutted. There are five of us who work hard for 12 months to hold the event on one day.

“People need to understand you can’t wake up on the day of the event and decide whether it goes ahead or not. You have got to go on the advice of the professionals who are putting the stages and gazebos up.

“Some of the acts couldn’t get through because of weather elsewhere. It wasn’t just setting up.

“We pride ourselves on having a really good event and when you look at the things we couldn’t put on – like the fireworks and the reindeer and some of the acts – we weren’t left with much choice. We had to prioritise the safety of the local community.”

Father Christmas and Mrs Christmas will still be coming to Egremont and will be in the town’s Market Hall this weekend and the following weekend from 11am until 4pm. They will also be there from 3.30 until 6pm from Monday December 2 until Friday December 6.

Cllr Woodburn added: “It’s not the same event but it’s good Father Christmas and Mrs Christmas still want to come to Egremont.

“The plan is to have a bigger and better event next year.”