The popular Five Parishes Summer Show has been cancelled for the first time since the war - because of foot-and-mouth.

The show is held on the approach to the Army's Fingringhoe Ranges, off Mersea Road, Colchester, and although some footpaths around them are open, the land itself is still restricted.

But organisers say the event will definitely be back in 2002 and a date has already been set: Sunday, August 4.

Helene Gooding, secretary of the show's committee, said: "We have known about the problem for a while, but have been hoping that the restrictions might be lifted in time.

"However, about six weeks ago we had to make the decision to cancel the show this year to save ourselves running up cancellation penalties with our suppliers."

She added: "We are naturally very sad. This is the first time the show has ever been cancelled since 1926 apart from the war, but there was no alternative."

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