A historic Isle of Wight event has been cancelled due to government restrictions following cases of Bluetongue disease.

Gilten Market has been cancelled for 2024, as government restrictions made transporting the show animals to the market impossible.

The event was due to be held at Salisbury Market on Tuesday, December 3, as a temporary measure, as Island venues were unavailable. 

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Gilten Market is the Island's Christmas Fatstock show, where the High Sheriff gilds the head of the champion animal with golden paint.

The event was due to be held in Salisbury as a temporary measure (Image: Contributed)

The event is set to return in 2025 in the new building at the County Show Ground in Northwood.

Chair Matt Legge said: "It is very unfortunate, but unavoidable that we have had to take this difficult decision. 

"We have been kindly hosted by Tapnell Farm, Freshwater in recent years but this year they could not accommodate us, the building at the Show Ground was not yet ready so we decided some months ago, as a temporary measure to go to Salisbury. 

"Subsequently the movement restrictions were imposed so that is now impossible and we cannot find and licence a suitable pre-Christmas venue on the Island."

The Isle of Wight is currently in a Bluetongue restricted zone.

The government reported that three bovines were confirmed positive in Hampshire on Friday, November 22. 

The government said: "Three bovines were confirmed positive in Hampshire located outside the restricted zone after being traced from a premises on the Isle of Wight, having moved before the restricted zone was put in place.

"The premises has been placed under restriction and the other animals on the premises will be assessed to ensure there has been no local transmission."

Matt said: "The weather is always a challenge and Bluetongue movement restrictions have not only hit the market but also affected where we can sell our livestock at this important time of year.

"Nonetheless, the farming community is resilient and we will continue to strive to preserve the Island’s agricultural economy and work to make local food available to the community.”