A village's bonfire night has had to be cancelled after heavy rainfall flooded the event's field and ruined logs - with organisers losing £3,000 as a result.

The Lamberhurst Bonfire Society announced the change of plans yesterday evening.

The event would have hosted approximately 500 people on the field next to The Chequers pub.

A post on social media read: "It is with great reluctance and a heavy heart that we have decided to cancel this year’s firework display. Earlier today the river Teise broke its banks and has flooded the Chequers field and car park.

"The Chequers field is also flooded. We have been unable to enter the field and build a bonfire. More rain is expected overnight and Saturday. We know many of you will be disappointed but we are concerned for your safety. Thank you for your understanding."

Organiser Sally White said it was a disappointing situation, but the safety of families need to come first.

She said: "If we'd allowed over 500 people onto that field tomorrow night, it would be really boggy. We were in danger of making it an unsafe environment."

"The wood for the bonfire was completely saturated. We also couldn't get onto the field to build the bonfire, and this is what made us start to think about cancelling it.

"If we had put cars and trucks onto the field yesterday, they would have been stuck and stranded.

"We're really disappointed about it because obviously it is a really popular event in our community and it brings everybody together.

"It's short and sweet, but everybody loves it. So not to be able to put it on is quite disappointing for everyone."