Christmas festival cancelled due to Storm Darragh

One of the largest annual events in Kent has been cancelled ahead of strong winds which are expected with the arrival Storm Darragh.

The Rochester Dickensian Christmas Festival, as well as the town's festive market, will not take place on Saturday and Sunday due to the weather.

A yellow Met Office warning for wind is in place across Kent from 15:00 GMT on Friday until 06:00 GMT on Sunday.

A statement from Medway Council said the festival - which attracts tens of thousands of people each year - had been cancelled due to "the increasing high winds, which are forecasted to reach up to 50mph".

A spokesperson said the council "appreciates how disappointing this will be for those who had planned to visit this weekend".

He said: "We have not taken this decision lightly, but it is necessary to ensure the safety of our visitors and everyone involved with either the market, Christmas village or festival."

Rochester Dickensian Christmas Festival, which was first held in 1988, is an outdoor event which involves a parade along the high street, carol service and market and funfair at Rochester Castle gardens.

The castle gardens will be closed to all activities over the weekend.

Coach tours normally bring visitors to the event from long distances and the streets of the town are usually crammed with people.

Dover's Winter Light Up has also been cancelled on Saturday and rescheduled for 8 February.

Nina Ridge, BBC South East weather presenter, said winds are "expected peak in Kent around midday on Saturday with gusts inland of 40-50mph and 60-65mph along the coast".

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