The first day of a free food and drink festival in Hinckley has been cancelled due to severe weather conditions.

With strong winds expected this Saturday and a yellow weather warning being issued by the Met Office, organisers decided to call off the first half of Feast Hinckley.

The festival, organised by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, will still take place on Sunday in Argents Mead, from 10am-6pm.

Free parking will be available in all council run car parks on the day.

John Coward from the authority is helping manage the event.

He said: “We have been watching the weather forecast for this weekend closely, hoping that the forecast of severe weather will change, but this morning [August 8] the Met Office upgraded the weather warning for Saturday to yellow with strong winds expected during the day.

"It left us with no choice but to cancel Saturday’s event.

Children can have fun on the inflatable obstacle course
Children can have fun on the inflatable obstacle course

"With thousands of people expected to descend on Argents Mead this weekend and with marquees and cooking equipment around, we can’t run the risk of anyone being hurt.”

He added: “The organisers and the vendors alike are all absolutely devastated, especially after all of the work we have all put into organising it; we apologise to everyone for the disappointment this will cause.”

Stalls at the event will include a range of national and international cuisine, live music and a 120ft giant inflatable assault course sponsored by Hinckley BID.

Other highlights will include local radio station Fosse 107, face painting, bungee trampolines, mini-bikers, and more entertainment.