AN event to celebrate folk music in Durham was cancelled on Saturday afternoon because of heavy rain.

The downpour at about 3pm made it impossible to carry on with the Folk Picnic in the grounds of the Durham Light Infantry Museum.

About 550 people attended the event, which was organised by the Folkworks team from Sage Gateshead as part of the Durham Gathering festival.

Folkworks programme manager Chris Pentney said: "We had judged the picnic competition and people had eaten their food.

"We were about two-thirds of the way through the show when the heavens opened.

"It was such an intense downpour that we could not carry on and had to leave the site. People were a little disappointed because they were enjoying the music, but it was good humoured and people were in good spirits.

"We had people from all over the country and we are pleased there so many local folk music enthusiasts.

"We are looking forward to next year.