DEVASTATED organisers have had to cancel a steam show for the first time in its 14-year history.

The Weymouth & Portland Steam Show was due to be held this weekend at Moor Farm, Knights in the Bottom, Chickerell.

But waterlogged fields at the site and no sign of them drying out in time have prompted the decision to cancel the 2012 event.

Show co-ordinator Andy Spracklen said the decision was actually made last Friday before the region was hit by floods so the fields would be even wetter now.

He said: “We had a meeting with the farmer after he rung us distraught to say the fields were absolutely sodden.

“We can’t even get on the main field to cut the grass because the tractor sinks in the mud.

“Other steam shows have been cancelled this year, it’s devastating.”

The show, formerly known as the Portland Steam and Vintage Show, used to be held at Southwell Business Park but switched sites for the first time last year because no land could be guaranteed at Southwell due to a timing clash with the Olympics.

The 2011 event was hit by poor weather but hundreds still flocked to the new site.

This year organisers had lined up the ‘biggest and best show yet’ with a new food hall, re-enactment displays, family shows, as well as hundreds of exhibitors and trade stands.

The show is run by volunteers and relies on the generosity of businesses and individuals for it to survive.

Mr Spracklen said the show committee would meet in the autumn to start planning the 2013 event.