Crowds watch a competitor in the clay pigeon shooting at last year's show.

Wayland Agricultural Show has been cancelled, organisers confirmed last night. Raw sewage has flooded part of the site, forcing them to call off the event.

More than 15,000 were expected to attend today’s event at Watton. But show chairman Graham Shingfield said raw sewage had overflowed from a faulty pumping station adjacent to the showground, on Brandon Road.

Mr Shingfield said ditches around the site had filled with water and sewage, which was also flowing onto the show field.

“It’s a nightmare, we’re absolutely devastated to have to cancel it bacause of something outside our control like this,” he said last night, after the decision was taken to call off the show. “We’re extremely angry.”

The problem was discovered late yesterday afternoon, after water began collecting on part of the car park near the ticket kiosks at the entrance to the showground. As stewards looked for the source of the flooding, they found the water contained raw sewage.

Last night a statement posted on the show’s website said: “The showground has been affected by a problem with an Anglian Water sewage pumping station that is situated by the side of the showground.

“As raw liquid effluent flooded part of the showground late this afternoon, August 4, we have been advised by Anglian Water that no public can be allowed to enter the showground for health and safety reasons and regrettably we have no option. We have cancelled the show.

“We understand that there will be many disappointed people, visitors, exhibitors, competitors and trade stand owners. We are sorry but we hope you will understand that we have no option.”

Organisers had lined up a bumper bill of attractions for the 139th Wayland Show. They included everything from sheepdog trials and country pursuits, to cookery challenges and quadbike stunt displays.