A POPULAR Darlington seaside event has been cancelled due to heavy rain.

Darlington By the Sea has run for three days from Thursday until today but Darlington Borough Council said on Facebook this morning that the planned third day of the event had been forced to be cancelled because of the weather.

Over 40 tonnes of sand had been installed in the Market Square to form a beach area miles away from the sea.

Darlington Borough Council said on its Facebook page: "Due to heavy rain we are sorry to announce that Darlington by Sea has been cancelled today."

The event was sponsored by local bus service Arriva.