ORGANISERS of Christchurch's pancake race have decided to cancel the event due to bad weather.

The annual event at the King's Arms Bowling Green forms part of Christchurch Food Festival.

However, the race on Tuesday has been cancelled over concerns with health and safety.

A spokesperson for the event said: "We have decided to cancel the pancake race. The weather forecast for Tuesday morning is heavy rain overnight and winds up to gale force six during the morning with continued lighter rain.

"As you will appreciate, the health and safety element of people running on slippery grass, as well as wind and rain, makes the whole event unsafe.

"In addition, with the weather like that we are unlikely to get an audience anyway."

They added: "It is such a shame as we have run the event for a number of years with good weather."

Entrants will be contacted and receive a full refund.