A POPULAR summer show has been cancelled just days before the event, leaving hundreds of exhibitors disappointed.

Rayleigh Horticultural Society axed its annual show, planned for tomorrow, after a notice appeared warning of a road closure because of gasworks.

As a result, the society decided to cancel the event over concerns about access to the venue - Mill Hall, in Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh.

However, Essex County Council later told the Echo Mill Hall and its car park would not be affected by the gasworks.

Colin Andrews, chairman of Rayleigh Horticultural Society, said: “The society or Mill Hall weren’t told about the closure.

“It’s taken two years to plan the show, for them to put a small sign at the entrance of the road a week before is ridiculous.

“The council is being unreasonable and unhelpful.

“Everyone’s work will be ruined, there’s no hope of rescheduling.

“We had 300 visitors turning up with around 400 entries.

“We’ve spent a fortune contacting and letting people know that it’s cancelled.

“Everyone’s been working like mad to set it all up, and now it’s all for nothing.

“Our MP Mark Francois was meant to be giving out the prizes for the winners.”

Cheryl Roe, deputy leader of Rochford District Council, said: “It’s totally unacceptable.

“I’m absolutely furious.

“The gasworks are not an emergency, they could have done them at any time.

“They didn’t take this wonderful event into consideration.

“You can’t rearrange it, children have been growing things for months and months.

“I feel for them.

“I attend every event, it’s so well thought of and always well attended.

“To cancel it at such short notice is a joke.

“A little communication would have gone a long way, but they offered none - only the notice board at the bottom of the road last weekend.

“I’ve made an enquiry with the county council, it’s utterly shambolic.”

Attempts were made to check on the road closure. However, organisers claim they received no guidance or information so had little choice but to cancel the event.

Following the cancellation of the event, Essex County Council confirmed access to the hall would still have been available on Sunday.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “It’s unfortunate to hear Rayleigh Horticultural Society have cancelled their summer show.

“The road on which Mill Hall is situated is only closed for gasworks further up from the hall.

“The entrance to Mill Hall and the car park will be open on Sunday.”