A SPECTACULAR parade to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay in Weymouth today has been cancelled.

The Moving Tides carnival was due to be held in the town this evening.

It is now hoped to reschedule the event for September.

It was to feature hundreds of children in costumes inspired by the 2012 Olympic sailing events.

Organisers cancelled the event due to forecast heavy rain for this afternoon.

Alan Rogers, Cultural Coordinator Weymouth and Portland 2012 Operations Team, said: “We cannot arrange for 1,000 people to process in the persistent rain and wind that is forecast.

The well being of the people involved in the procession and the stability of the costumes and props is our primary concern at this moment.

“We hope to deliver the Moving Tides Procession in September as a finale to the Cultural Olympiad.

“This has been the most difficult decision of my career but I feel that it was right one to make as the event organiser.”

Members of the local musical community involved in the Moving Tides Procession will still take to the Live Site stage at 5.30pm to perform.

Magic Drum’s team of 20 members will be joined by 10 performers from B sharp to perform two pieces; ‘Second Line Stomp’ and ‘Get Up’.

Magic Drum is run by Glyn Bush and Ralph Cree, both with a wealth of experience as teachers and professional musicians and expert knowledge of Samba, Brazilian and African rhythms and the music of Cuba and Jamaica.

B Sharp is a young people’s organisation based in Lyme Regis, East Devon and West Dorset that inspires young people and children to provide high quality music making opportunities.

Weapons of Sound, who delivered the drumming workshops in schools to teach the Moving Tides Procession ‘beat’ will also perform at 7.30pm.