The SPCA Animal Expo has been cancelled this year due to proposed maintenance work at the Botanical Gardens.

Inspector of the charity Charles Whited said Agriculture and Fisheries had withdrawn too many of the buildings used for the event due to the planned work, so the show was no longer viable.

He said the fair, which was set for the last week of September, would not be rescheduled, but instead held over until next year.

Mr. Whited said: "We had problems securing all of the buildings we required for the function, so we had no choice but to cancel.

"Everything was booked back in February, so we thought we had the facilities, but when we called back to confirm it more recently we were told we could not have some of the space. They are going to be doing renovations, so about 60 percent of the buildings and space we need won't be available."

The annual expo normally involves horse and dog shows, a presentation by the Poultry Fanciers Association and stalls, to name just a few things.