'We are very sorry to have to do this' - Town's Christmas fayre cancelled for safety reasons with high winds forecast

Much Wenlock's Christmas fayre was due to go ahead this Saturday (December 7).

The fayre's website had promised "around 150 stalls plus the town’s fantastic selection of independent shops beautifully decked out for the festive season" plus "a variety of performances and entertainment all around the town".

But on Thursday, after the Met Office had issued weather warnings for wind and rain, organisers announced the fayre could not go ahead safely.

A statement on Facebook said: "Due to the weather warnings issued, it is with regret that we have made the decision to cancel our Christmas Fayre for this Saturday. The wind gusts are forecast to be around 67mph, and we have been advised that this would put our stallholders and visitors at risk.

"The fayre committee will be getting in touch with all the stallholders, entertainment and everyone else that is connected to the fayre as soon as possible.

"We are very sorry to have to do this, and we hope you can understand why our decision was necessary."

Storm Darragh is on its way to the UK and the Met Office has warned of "very strong winds and heavy rain" through this weekend, including gusts of up to 80mph around coasts late on Friday and into Saturday.

Inland gusts of 60 to 70mph are expected.

An amber warning has been issued for parts of the UK - but this does not cover Shropshire, where a yellow weather warning has been issued instead.

Earlier on Thursday, Bridgnorth Town Council had announced the cancellation of the town's own Christmas light switch-on event over safety concerns. It had been due to go ahead on Friday (December 6).