KILWORTHY Point-to-Point, which was due to take place this Saturday, March 23, has had to be postponed.

The event, which could not take place last year due to the foot and mouth crisis, is a casulty of the recent wet weather.

Mike Bickell, chairman of Lamerton Hunt which organises the event, said on Wednesday: 'It's not dangerous, it's just too wet to run the event, so, regretfully, it's postponed.

'We are hoping it will be okay for the following Saturday, but that's awaiting confirmation.'

It was feared the soft ground would cause problems with car parking.

Mr Bickell said the decision on whether to hold the races next week, on Easter Saturday, should be made tomorrow (Thursday).

'There's a procedure to go through. Our local people make the decision, then it goes to the hierarchy of the Jockey Club who sanction it.'

The event has attracted more than 180 entries for the nine races. In addition to the point-to-point itself, there are trade stands, stalls, a licensed bar and bookmakers.

Kilworthy Point-to-Point is part of an eight-race qualifying series which began last month and climaxes in a hunter chase final at Newton Abbot Racecourse in May.

The hunter chase final of the intermediate series of point-to-points is run over three-and-a-quarter miles at Newton Abbot Racecourse's ladies' day on Saturday May 25. Prize money includes £3,000 being added to stakes.

The remaining qualifying point-to-point races are: March 23, Lamerton Foxhounds at Kilworthy; April 7, Spooners and West Dartmoor Foxhounds at Cherrybrook; May 6 Stevenstone Foxhounds at High Bickington; May 12, Tetcott Foxhounds at Lifton; May 18, Dulverton West Foxhounds at Bratton Down.