A popular airshow set to return after 17 years has been cancelled because of parking issues.

Woodchurch Wings and Things was due to take place next Sunday, but organisers have been forced to pull the plug in case farmland earmarked for visitors’ cars is sold beforehand.

The event was last held at Little Engeham Farm in Woodchurch near Ashford in 2006, with a neighbouring site serving as a car park.

But with the plot adjacent on the market and no guarantee it will not be snapped up before the airshow takes place, Wings and Things has been postponed.

Commercial pilot Bill Giles – who flew at the airshow during its previous era under organiser Rob Davies – had spearheaded the plans to bring it back to the skies.

The Ashford resident has been hosting the Weald of Kent Steam rally on the same land for a number of years, taking up the vacant weekend spot created when the airshow fell off the calendar.

“I was inspired to do that because we had lost so many steam rallies at that point, and in recent years we have lost so many air shows so it just seemed to me that there was an opening for reviving Wings and Things,” he said.

“I have known Rob for some 35 years and I asked him last year if we could do it, and it was all approved.”

However, the plans for the airshow were affected this year after it emerged the neighbouring Great Engeham Farm had been listed for sale.

The site, which had previously served to host visitors’ cars and aid with traffic management, has been put up for sale in two lots totalling £1 million.

With a closing date for tenders listed for this Friday, the current owners were unable to guarantee the land’s use for the airshow.

Mr Giles said: “Since the farm went up for sale, the owners told us they didn’t feel comfortable committing the land to the use in case it gets sold – and it’s completely right that they did that.

“Obviously it’s disappointing that we’ve gone so far down the line with planning, but thankfully we have not gone too far in terms of financial commitments, and the planning that has been put in place can roll over for next year.

“We are hopeful to reach an agreement with the new landowners. I have spoken already to one prospective purchaser who has agreed that if they are successful they would be happy to allow us the same access.

“When you are bringing back something that people have such fond memories of, it needs to be absolutely right, and we weren’t prepared to push ahead with a situation that wasn’t completely right.

“We are still extremely excited to bring the Wings and Things airshow back next year, bigger and better than before.”

News of the airshow’s cancellation on July 6 was met with sadness on Facebook.

Mike Homard wrote: “Extremely gutted to hear this! I was really looking forward to attending.”

Chris Hale added: “Gutted as I was really looking forward to this event but understandable due to the circumstances, and fingers crossed for next year.”

The Weald of Kent Steam Rally is continuing as planned and will take place on the weekend of August 5 and 6.