UPDATED 12:26*
CHILDREN'S programme Blue Peter has had to scrap its Isle of Wight event because of bad weather.
The flagship BBC programme was due to film an Olympic special at Osborne House, East Cowes to coincide with the torch's arrival on the Isle of Wight on Saturday.
But in a statement today (Wednesday), the BBC said it had fallen foul of the bad weather.
A spokeswoman said: "Sadly, due to the recent extreme rainfall in the Isle of Wight, the site for this weekend’s Blue Peter’s Big Olympic Tour is waterlogged and therefore unfit for use.
"Unfortunately there are no other suitable venues on the Isle of Wight so we are currently searching for an alternative venue on the South coast.
"We apologise for any inconvenience and disappointment caused. All tickets for the Isle of Wight event will still be valid and we will post regular updates on the new venue on bbc.co.uk/bluepeter."
A spokesman said today (Thursday) "We have re-located the event to Kings Park in Bournemouth.
"All those who have been allocated tickets to the Isle of Wight broadcast at 9am will still be able to use them at this location.
"The wider event opens to everyone as usual from 10am to 4pm. The event is free and no tickets are required so we do hope people from the Isle of Wight may be able to join us in Bournemouth on the day too."
*Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner criticised the decision to scrap the Island event and has been in contact with the BBC to try to find a local alternative.
A spokeswoman for Mr Turner said: "Andrew has been in touch with Joe Godwin, the head of children's programming at the BBC, to see if anything can be done.
"It seems ludicrous to suggest there are no suitable alternative venues on the Island."