The organisers of a popular steam rally have been forced to cancel the event amid "concerns for the safety of visitors".

The gathering, set to take place in Dartford's Central Park this weekend, has been scrapped after failing to comply with health and safety requirements.

The decision has been described as "hugely disappointing" by Colin Wheeler, who leads the team of steam enthusiasts and volunteers behind the rally, which is supported by Dartford council.

Insurers withdrew cover for the event after plans were submitted too late for organisers to respond to legal and safety requirements, alongside suggestions from police.

Mr Wheeler and his team have been left "absolutely devastated" by the cancellation, after helping to run the rally for more than a decade.

Mr Wheeler said: "Running the steam rally is a huge and complex task and sadly, we failed to submit some really important parts of the event plan in time to implement advice from the police and safety authorities.

"It’s no one’s fault but our own and I want to make clear that this isn’t a case of overzealous health and safety demands from anyone. Keeping people safe at an event like this is paramount.

"It’s hugely disappointing but the decision to cancel the event was ours."

Cllr Jeremy Kite, leader of Dartford council, said: "I have worked with Colin Wheeler for more than a decade and remember when he first walked in to my office with his proposals for a small event to celebrate Dartford’s place in engineering and industrial history.

"We supported him back then and have been rewarded by seeing the event grow into one of the town’s most popular weekends.

"He spoke to me this morning and accepted with no deflection or excuses that the responsibility for the oversight and the cancellation lays with the organisers, however, I want to say this.

"Over the years, Colin and his team have committed literally hundreds of hours of their own time and poured their heart and soul into this weekend.

"The Steam Rally has brought countless joy to tens of thousands of visitors, me included, and he and his team will be devastated at this turn of events.

"Lots of people will be disappointed by the cancellation of this event but now is the time to support these volunteers and organisers and to thank them for what they have done over the years.

"It is also the time for all of us to make it clear to them how much we value the Steam Rally, and commit to it returning bigger and better."

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford