A POPULAR Carnival which hoped to attract 3,000 people this weekend has been cancelled amid dismal weather forecasts.

Organisers pulled the plug on Totton and Eling Carnival last night and pushed it back to a later date blaming days of rain and a miserable outlook for Saturday.

Thousands were looking forward to the Best of British-themed event which was spectacularly brought back to life last summer after a seven year absence.

But carnival committee members feared the Eling Recreation ground would be damaged and want to rearrange the extravaganza for August 18. A final decision on this date will be taken on Monday.

Last year the colourful carnival raised more than £3,000 for good causes.

The 2012 parade was due to leave Testwood Sports College before weaving through the streets and ending up at Eling Recreation Ground where a fun fair and traditional summer fete activities had been lined up.

But it has become the latest in a string of high profile events to be hit by the grim weather conditions. Last weekend heavy rain caused the cancellation of Southampton's Mela Festival while fans of Netley Marsh Steam and Craft show will have to wait until next year because of a waterlogged show ground.