FOR only the second time in its history, Shaldon Water Carnival has been cancelled.

It was with a heavy heart that the Committee announced the news, a decision which was prompted by a yellow weather warning for high winds issued by the MET Office.

'We are all very very sorry that we have had to take this action but our first duty must be to keep our Carnival attendees and volunteers safe and we don’t feel that we can do this in the unseasonably awful weather that has been forecast' a spokesman said.

The raffle draw, however, will still go ahead.

It will take place at 5.45pm on Saturday, August 5, in the Ferry Shelter; the Committee will continue to sell raffle tickets outside the Ferry Boat Inn from 5pm to 7pm today, Friday, August 4, and tomorrow, Saturday, August 5, from 10.30am to 5pm at the Ferry Boat Shelter.

'Cancellation obviously means that the Water Carnival will take a significant financial hit as we have incurred some costs in advance of Saturday, which are non-refundable so we would be hugely grateful if you would buy a raffle ticket or alternatively donate online to support us and future carnivals' the spokesman went on to say.