THE Ten Tors competition has become the latest casualty of the foot and mouth crisis — the first time ever the event has had to be cancelled.
The event, scheduled for mid-May, was called off by the Army after mounting uncertainty.
Event director Brigadier Tony Faith said: 'We have had to bow to the inevitable. The longer this terrible outbreak, and its consequences, continued the more apparent it became that proceeding with the Ten Tors was not an option.
'Reluctantly, and with regret, to call a halt can only be sensible and right.'
This year the Army had teamed up with Okehampton Chamber of Trade, which had hoped to attract Ten Tors competitors and spectators to visit the town. Chairman Ian Bailey said: 'We could all see this coming and I'm not at all surprised the event has been cancelled.
'It's a great shame for the town. We had hoped it would be a real boost to visitor numbers.
'But all our connections with the Army are in place and we can do it again next year.'
More than 2,000 young people would have taken part in the challenge.