SHANKLIN Carnival has been cancelled today (Wednesday), organisers have confirmed.

The news comes as a Met Office yellow weather warning for high winds is in force.

Carnival chair, Denyse Larner said: “I can’t jeopardise the safety of our queens and floats coming from across the Island.

“Some of them will get wrecked in this weather.

“The wind seems to be getting worse and we have to call it for safety’s sake; the children have to come first.

“When you think about how much time and effort goes into it all, it is so sad.

“We’re very sorry but we have to cancel. We have to think of the safety of all concerned.

“We’re absolutely devastated. We rely on the money collected to help us out the following year.

“I guess we’ll just have to do a lot more fundraising this year.

"Fingers crossed for Saturday.”

The carnival was due to get underway at 7pm, from Popham Road near Big Mead park.

The parade would have travelled past the Old Village, High Street, Regent Street, Queens Road and Chine Avenue.