FEARS over the spread of the highly contagious equine flu has prompted a popular Caernarfon agriculture show to be cancelled.

The annual North Wales Agriculture Society Show - known as Caernarfon Show  - was to be held at the Bethel Road site on Saturday.

However an outbreak of the disease, which affects horses, mules and donkeys has prompted competitors to pull out.

The illness is rarely fatal to adult horses, but it can kill young foals, which can become susceptible to complications such as pneumonia.

It is rapidly spread through close direct contact between horses and can take several weeks, or even months, for affected horses to fully recover fully from an infection.

Show chairman Peter Rutherford said: "Unfortunately, we have had to make the decision to cancel this year's show.

"It is due to an outbreak of equine flu confirmed in the North Eastern part of Wales, which has resulted in a large number of competitors deciding to pull out over concerns for their animals.

"We will still be running the show next year. If anyone needs more information or to contact us, please see our website http://www.caernarfonshow.com."

The show has been running since 1888. It was last cancelled about 10 years when bad weather closed shows and events across Britain.