AN agricultural show which was in jeopardy of being cancelled due to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will go ahead.

Organisers of the Haigh, Aspull and Blackrod Agricultural Show held an emergency meeting last night and decided the event should still take place.

It will be held on Sunday, August 19, but the foot-and-mouth crisis has put an end to the cattle and sheep categories.

Each year the show, which takes place at Landlord's Farm in Aspull, attracts thousands of people, including many from west Bolton.

But in recent years, it has suffered some setbacks.

It was scrapped in 2001 when the last foot-and-mouth epidemic struck, and in 2004, it was called off at the last minute due to heavy rain.

In 2005, the show did not go ahead because of lack of funds.

Organisers, who have spent 12 months planning the show, decided there were still enough going on to make the show worthwhile.

Committee member Joan Dawson said: "Most of the committee members were in favour of the show going ahead so now we look forward to welcoming the visitors."

The mayor of Blackrod, Cllr Ian Hamilton, will judge a show picture drawing competition which has been run in schools.