The first day had been called off due to bad weather and a decision was made late morning to cancel the whole event.

It is the second year in a row the show - the biggest of its kind in the region - has been hit by the weather after the 2007 event was also called off.

The organisers said: "We are very sorry to announce the Royal Lancashire Show has been cancelled. This follows health and safety assessments this morning and a review of the weather forecast for the coming weekend.

"The extremely heavy rain on Wednesday night/Thursday morning created very difficult conditions which deteriorated when vehicles arrived to set up yesterday. As a result the organisers took the decision to close the show to the public but continue with the animal classes.

"In spite of an 'army' of agricultural contractors who were brought in to repair the ground, the continuing rain has made this impossible. This, combined with the forecast of further heavy rain later today and tomorrow, has resulted in the cancellation."

Around 60,000 people were expected to attend the show over the three days.