ONE of the most popular country shows in the North East and North Yorkshire will not be held amid rising concern over the virus and a 'lack of clarity and direction' from the government.

Stokesley show regularly attracts more than 20,000 people, but as volunteer organisers faced committing up to £100,000 in deposits and payments to ensure it could go ahead they decided it was not possible and it would put too great a burden on members.

Hopes were high earlier this month that Stokesley Agricultural Society would be able to stage the show on September 18 after bitter disappointment last year when it had to be cancelled. The show dates back to 1857 and has only not been held during the two world wars and foot and mouth disease.

In a statement they said: "Stokesley Agricultural Society has taken the difficult decision to not hold the Stokesley Show. The society delayed the decision on whether to go ahead to the latest possible date in the hope that the position with regards to Covid would have improved as a result of lower infection rates and increases in level of vaccination. This together with the revocation of legal restrictions on July 19 would hopefully have enabled a full and normal show to go ahead in Stokesley, sadly this is not the case.

"As Coronavirus cases continue to rise there is a risk that some level of restrictions will be reintroduced. Due to the size of the show we could well fall into the category that will require coronavirus passports for events with an attendance of more than 20,000.

"This together with the lack of clarity and direction from the government within the published guidelines means that it would be extremely difficult to successfully run a coronavirus secure event and would place a huge burden of responsibility on everyone involved in the organisation and running of the show.

"This very difficult decision has been taken as we have a duty of care to the volunteer stewards, society members, judges, our guests and the wider Stokesley community. Needless to say we now begin our planning for next year with great enthusiasm and look forward to welcoming everyone back to the field in September 22."

Society Chairman Neal Waters said they pay out in excess of £100,000 to hold the show and just could not take the chance that it would not be held or would be severely restricted. He added|: "I personally think the government have been very good until this last point, they have suddenly said we are not going to manage it, we are going to put it back to the event or the business.

"If they had held off and left the face masks and social distancing rules in place until everyone had a chance to get double vaccines people would have been more confident.

"The show is run by volunteers, to stand on a gate and ask people to take a test, or check paperwork or take money off them, it just wasn’t fair and a lot of people were very nervous, we are not in the risk business we are there to put a show together. We took the very difficult decision to cancel the show and plan for 2022."