FEARS over wet weather this weekend have led to Romsey Mayor's picnic being cancelled for the first time in 16 years.

Mayor Mark Cooper said he had reluctantly taken the decision to call off the charity fundraiser after receiving reports from the Met Office that heavy rain was predicted over the weekend.

The warning sparked fears that visitors to the event, in the War Memorial Park, would end up stranded if their cars became bogged down in the mud.

Organisers decided to call off Sunday's picnic but said all the charities who would normally benefit could now apply for grants instead.

Mr Cooper said: "Various events involve getting vehicles onto the site and it is almost certain that with more rain forecast the vehicles will churn up the grass or get stuck because it is already very soggy.

"As a county councillor I have a fund of £10,000 and any charity in difficulty because they have lost out on this opportunity can apply to me for some grant aid - but they must be Romsey town-based."