The popular Festival of Heroes, which was set to return to the Isle of Wight this weekend, has been cancelled amid expected bad weather conditions.

The Festival, taking place at the County Show Ground for the first time, was offering the chance to meet over 55 superheroes, princesses, storybook and TV characters, with arena shows, big top entertainment, rides, inflatables, pony rides and stalls.

However, due to the adverse weather forecast, organisers say they have had to take the heartbreaking decision to cancel this year’s event.

Once gusts reach over 24mph, the bouncy castles cannot be up, the vintage rides cannot run, and the bike display team cannot perform.

All the stallholders will be hanging on to their gazebos for dear life, the organisers said, and the event’s insurance will become invalid if it proceeds over a safe level.

A spokesperson from the festival said: “We have spent the last 24 hours looking at every possible way to make the event happen this weekend, even looking at inside spaces so that characters can still be met, but we have unfortunately not been able to achieve this. 

“These events are always a risk to put on due to our British weather and are devastating for the charity in terms of the time and money spent planning and executing them when cancelled. 

“Thank you all for your support, but safety must come first.” 

The Festival of Heroes will update everyone as soon as a new date is found to reschedule, however, it warns this may be difficult as its acts will be booked elsewhere.

A spokesperson continued: “Please keep your wristbands for use at the next Festival of Heroes, we will be unable to replace lost wristbands.”