Heavy rain has led to the cancellation of this weekend's Royal Oxfordshire Horticultural Society show.

More than 1,500 people were expected to turn up to the show at Florence Park, Cowley, on Saturday, but organisers pulled the plug because the park is too waterlogged.

The decision was made after an inspection of the park with council officials on Wednesday.

It is only the second time the show has been cancelled in 25 years — it was called off in 1997 because it coincided with the funeral of Princess Diana.

Society chairman Freddie Drinkwater said: "Because of the state of the waterlogged park we have had to cancel.

"It was not an easy decision to make as it’s going to disappoint lots of people who enjoy the show, as well as exhibitors, charities and entertainers we booked.

"However, it would have been extremely difficult to get lorries on the park and build marquees. If any damage had been caused to the park by the show we would have had to pay for it."

The size of the show, which features more than 100 categories for horticulturists, meant it could not be rearranged for this year, Mr Drinkwater added.

The next show will next be held in Florence Park on September 12, 2009.