The Camping and Caravanning Club has been forced to cancel its annual national camping rally.

The venue for the Club's National Feast of Lanterns is waterlogged after weeks of rain.

Vehicles are unable to get on site and the Club said it was impossible to create the temporary campsite and its entertainment facilities.

The annual event was due to take place at Long Newton Grange in Stockton on Tees between August 16-20.

Stuart Inness, chairman of the 2012 NFOL Organising Committee, said: “We’ve dedicated four years towards planning this event and we’re absolutely devastated however we’ve got to consider the safety of members.

“Hundreds of campers from across the country had pre-booked a pitch so we had to make the decision to cancel the rally, earlier rather than later, in order to cause minimum disruption to campers’ holiday plans.”

The Club’s Director General, Robert Louden, added: “The National Feast of Lanterns has been running for many years so it’s such a shame we will not be able to celebrate this Club tradition in 2012 however the safety of our campers’ is paramount.

“I’d personally like to thank the members of the 2012 NFOL Organising Committee for their efforts and professionalism; we appreciate the work that has gone into organising such a large event, it’s just unfortunate we’ve experienced such unpredictable weather.”

Campers who have pre-booked a pitch at the rally will receive a full refund.

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