THIS year's Alton Show has been reluctantly cancelled because of continuing uncertainty over the foot-and-mouth crisis. It is the first time the event has been cancelled since its establishment in 1840.

Organisers, the North East Hampshire Agricultural Association, decided no other course of action was possible at its postponed annual general meeting last Thursday.

The decision was taken after exhaustive discussion on the practicality of proceeding with the show in light of the current epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease.

Members readily agreed that in the current climate, inclusion of cloven-hoofed animals, cows, pigs, sheep and goats, in the show was not possible and the situation was unlikely to change sufficiently before the July15 showdate to permit these classes to be held.

Show secretary David Whittaker said: "It was felt that even had the situation allowed, owners would have been very reluctant to bring their pnze animals to the show so soon after the end of such an epidemic.

"It would have been possible to continue with the horse show, but the conditions under which these animals could be moved and thus transported to the showground would have caused considerable problems for the owners and the show management committee.

"Most members were disappointed that the show will not go ahead but in the circumstances they didn't have a great many options.

"If we want the public to respect the countryside and stay away from the animals, it's the least we could do,"

Unlike some other shows, which have alternative attractions to compensate for a lack of animals, one of the main purposes of the Alton Show is to demonstrate all aspects of rural life, in particular the husbandry of farm animals.

"Without animals the Alton Show would lose much of its meaning," said Mr Whittaker. "As we are not insured against financial loss, members took the decision now to cancel the show to avoid committing the association to even greater expenditure."

In the event, the cancellation will cost the association about £1,000.A

The NEHAA now intends to start the planning of the 2002 show in September, with the association's annual ploughing match taking place in the autumn.

It is hoped that this year's event will be enhanced to compensate for the cancellation of the show.

The ploughing match will be held on land farmed by Chris Butler of West End, Upper Froyle, who is the association's president for the forthcommg year.