Halloween event cancelled due to Storm Austen

A children's Halloween event that has been running for 15 years has been cancelled because strong winds and heavy rain are expected.

The Spooky Welly Walk was due to take place in Sefton Park, Liverpool, on Saturday.

But the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, which organises the family fundraiser, said it had made the "difficult decision" to call it off after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for the area, with strong winds and heavy rain expected due to Storm Austen.

The charity said the decision was made following a health and safety inspection of the site.

The popular fundraising walk, which follows a two-mile Halloween-themed trail, attracts hundreds of families and raised £83,000 last year.

The charity's chief executive, Paula Chadwick, said losing the event was a "significant blow".

Chadwick said: "We know how much families look forward to Spooky Welly Walk, and we're so sorry to disappoint everyone who planned to join us.

"Our team and volunteers have spent months preparing, but the safety of everyone attending must come first."

The charity said all ticket holders were being contacted.

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