Aldington's point-to-point races have been called off for only the second time in the event's 50-year history due to safety concerns following heavy rain.

Race secretary Ian Gibson says he is bitterly disappointed that he has been forced to cancel the popular family horse-racing event, due to have taken place on Easter Monday, which last year attracted more than 5,000 visitors.

The muddy state of the race track means it is impassable to a 4x4 vehicle and in the event of an emergency, rescuers would be unable to reach horse or rider.

Mr Gibson said: "Heavy overnight rain meant the course could not be raced on and the forecast is very poor for the next couple of days.

"It's extremely disappointing after so much work has gone into the event but emergency vehicles must be able to get out to the track and it is impassable. The safety of the horses and riders must always come first."

This year's event attracted 66 entrants, with around 25 riders expected to start in the six-race thriller, but after heavy rain on Thursday night it was called off yesterday.

The only other time Aldington point-to-point has been called off was during the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 2001.