Southampton Mela cancelled

Organisers of the tenth Southampton Mela Festival were promising a feast of activities including music, dance, family entertainment and food at Hoglands Park this afternoon.

But they pulled the plug this morning after torrential rain overnight left the area waterlogged.

It will come as a bitter blow to the thousands of Hampshire residents who flock to the popular event every year.

More than 17,000 descended on the park last year to enjoy colourful exhibitions, arts and crafts and live music – and organisers were expecting thousands more to attend in 2012.

Musicians ranging from Indian classical, Bollywood and folk to Qawwali, Asian fusion and bhangra have all been told their performances have been cancelled this afternoon.

Food lovers had also been looking forward to a mouth watering array of multi-cultural offerings.

But the event has become the latest victim of a miserable spell of weather.

Organisers of Marchwood Jubilee Fete have also cancelled the event, which was due to take place from noon to 4.30pm at Lloyd Recreation Ground. It will now take place in September.

A performance by the Square Peg Circus, which was due to close Winchester's Hat Fair at River Park tomorrow night, has also been scrapped.

Organisers said the circus skills show needed dryer underfoot conditions for the safety of performers.

Meanwhile flooding at Sway in the New Forest caused rail journeys between Bournemouth and Brockenhurst to be delayed by up to an hour.

Last month tens of thousands were left disappointed after the Red Arrows were forced to abandoned plans for three separate displays over Southampton.

They were first expected to roar over the city as part of the celebration’s for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations at Mayflower Park.

Last week, the famous display team was due to fly past Southampton Docks twice in one day when seven huge cruise ships were in the city to mark the 175th anniversary of P&O Cruises.