ORGANISERS of the Trowbridge Apple Festival have been forced to cancel today’s event because of the current poor weather.

As Storm Callum continues to batter the UK, the high winds and rain have caused massive disruption to road and rail services.

In some areas, including Wiltshire, trees and branches have been brought down, and there has been flooding.

Apple Festival organiser Mel Jacob, of the BIG Community Grow, says she was forced to take the decision to cancel yesterday morning.

She was informed that contractors were unable to safely put up the massive marquee they planned to use because of the high winds.

In a social media posting, she said: “I am very sorry to have to let you know we have had to take the very difficult and sad decision to cancel the Trowbridge Apple Festival.

“This has not been an easy decision and a few tears have been shed. The marquee company are unable to put the marquee up safely today due to the high winds.

“Even if they could put up tomorrow morning it would not be ready for us to set up the event in time for the event to take place even with a delayed start.

“I am so sorry and hugely appreciate the support and effort you have all given me and the festival. We will be back next year. I will circulate the date as soon as I have it.”

The festival was scheduled to take place today between 11am and 3pm in Trowbridge Park with a plastic-free theme to save waste.

Mrs Jacob said she had been offered the use of Castle Mead School, where she works, but there was not enough room in the main hall to accommodate everyone.

The Civic and the Town Hall were also fully booked and there was no other town centre venue large enough to take all the stalls and activities planned.

“I am sitting here looking at the weather and feeling absolutely distraught. I really feel quite defeated,” she said.

Mrs Jacob was forced to cancel a visit by garden expert and designer Pippa Greenwood who regularly features on BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time.

Ms Greenwood was due to give a talk in the marquee as well as answering questions from visitors.

She was also booked to judge the Apple Bake off along with local cake experts Henley's Cakes and Fairtrade Trowbridge.

But Ms Greenwood has promised to attend next year’s event.

The family-orientated event was also due to feature free fun and games as well as apple pressing and tasting with live music and a performance by the Bathampton Morris Dancers.

For children, there was due to be lots of traditional fun with conkers, apple bobbing and a giant 'apple' marble run which was so popular at last year’s festival.