New Milton Lions Club cancel town’s Christmas festival due to bad weather warnings but announce they are launching ‘Plan B’

A CHRISTMAS lights switch-on event planned for New Milton this Saturday has been cancelled due to weather warnings

The event organised by the Lions Club of New Milton was due to feature a fun fair, parade, Santa’s grotto and live music. But after weather forecasters predicted heavy rain and gusts of up to 50mph over the weekend, the festival has been called off.

In a statement, the Lions Club said: “Regrettably, due to the extremely high winds being forecast for this Saturday and potential for heavy rain, the Lions Club of New Milton & District has reluctantly taken the decision that The Lions New Milton Christmas Festival, Parade and Lights Switch-On has been cancelled.

“Whereas heavy rain can be managed to some degree, some forecasts indicated gusts of wind of up to 50mph and this would obviously be a very dangerous level.”

Organisers are said to be “hugely disappointed” by the decision to cancel, but “felt they had no choice”.

They have now announced on social media they are launching “Plan B” but have given no details on what that might be.

Some parents commented that their children were “heartbroken” by the news the festival, which usually draws huge crowds, has been cancelled.