Severe weather warning leads to cancellation of numerous events across the South West

There will be outbreaks of heavy rain across the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall and Devon. Credit: PA Images

A severe weather warning for Friday and Saturday has caused events all over the West Country to be abandoned.

Here are the details of the main cancellations so far.

Boardmasters was cancelled the night before gates were set to open. Credit: PA Images

EVENTS THAT HAVE BEEN CANCELLED:

Part of Plymouth's Ocean City Blues ‘n’ Jazz Festival
Boardmasters in Newquay
Cornwood Show
Plymouth Pride
Honiton Gate to Plate
Race Across Torbay

During Sunday and Monday the weather should start to calm down a little bit Credit: PA Images

Heavy, thundery showers and strong winds of more than 50mph are forecast for Friday and Saturday.

Get the full weather forecast for the West Country.

Some organisers have announced arrangements reschedule events for a later date, including Plymouth Pride and Race for Torbay.

With kayakers, paddleboarders, and seabikers set to take part in the Race for Torbay, organisers say the decision to postpone the race was "based on worrying weather alerts". They stressed this "would have been a significant safety risk".

The race will now take place on Saturday 7 September.

The RNLI is also warning people to take extra care around coastlines as severe weather is expected to hit the region. The charity says swimming, bodyboarding, and surfing will not be safe in the conditions.

Members of the public are also being urged to avoid open water and check the status of local beaches before heading out.

Elsewhere, Boardmasters in Newquay was due to host 53,000 people before organisers cancelled late on Tuesday night (6 August) - with guests due to start arriving the following morning.

Plymouth's Ocean City Blues ‘n’ Jazz Festival has only cancelled their first day on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday the event is expected to remain open.

The Cornwood show has said it will aim to make the event less weather dependent next year.

Organisers posted on social media that it was a "sad" decision but "we know it is the right thing to do."

Honiton Gate to Plate was due to host around 50 food, drink and craft producers. Organisers say they too hope to reschedule the event.

In Bristol the International Balloon Fiesta has already been impacted by the adverse weather expected.

An additional mass ascent was held on Thursday morning (9 August) in anticipation of poor conditions over Friday and Saturday.

Organisers cancelled all Friday flights in advance, while the Thursday 'nightglow' was scaled back due to the weather.