Watford Winterfest organisers are “devastated” after being forced to cancel due to unsafe forecast weather conditions.

The event, which was set to take place in The Parade between 2pm and 6pm tomorrow (November 23) will now not go ahead while the traditional parade and Christmas lights switch-on have also been axed for this year.

Met Office weather warnings have been issued in many areas of the UK, as Storm Bert is set to bring a “multi-hazard event” following a cold snap.

Confirming the news this afternoon, organisers Watford Town Centre BID highlighted potential “high gale force winds of 40mph and heavy rain”.

This would apparently make it unsafe for the funfair rides to open and for the event stage to be installed “particularly with young children involved”.

BID manager Kara Mesiano said: "It is with severe regret that we have made the unwelcome decision to cancel the planned Watford Town Centre Winterfest on Saturday November 23, 2024.

Photo from previous Winterfest event (Image: Watford Town Centre BID) "The safety of all involved is paramount and a lot of time, thought and discussion has been put in before reaching this difficult decision.

"We’ve waited to review the weather forecast and given the event every possibility of going ahead, but with just over 24 hours until the event and no improvement in the forecast, we have reached a cut-off point whereby all involved needed a final decision.

"We know that weather forecasts can be unreliable, but we have to make informed choices based on the current information available, with safety at the forefront."

Photo from previous Winterfest event.Photo from previous Winterfest event. (Image: Watford Town Centre BID) BID apologised to anyone who had planned to come out but added that it hoped they understand why the decision had been made.

The High Street had been set to be filled with Christmas spirit as funfair rides, Christmas activities, food and drink stalls, a high street parade, live stage performances, and a Santa sleigh procession were scheduled in.

The festive installations, tree lights, and lamppost decorations remain programmed to turn on in the late afternoon.