AN Olympic-themed firework display was cancelled six hours before it started because the ground was too 'soggy'.

Campaigners who fought hard to prevent the building of an Olympic police base on Wanstead Flats expressed their concern last month that the firework display was taking place on land which had been damaged.

Writing on his blog yesterday campaigner Kevin Blowe said: "The site hasn't been allowed to recover after the Metropolitan Police used it for its Olympics operations base over the summer and is unlikely to recover for months.

"Common sense suggested that the decision to hold the Newham firework display on this ravaged part of Wanstead Flats - coupled with the reasonable possibility of rain in November - was always a ludicrous risk.

"Cancellation of the fireworks will have left lots of local people feeling disappointed this evening and many (including friends of mine) would only have found out when they turned up and were told the event was not going ahead.

"The only conciliation is that perhaps now the City of London Corporation will leave Wanstead Flats alone so that it can restore itself to the state that existed before the Met turned up and wrecked it."

Angry residents who were anticipating a fantastic display of fireworks took to social networking site, Twitter, to express their frustration.

Philip Stobbart said: "Went to Newham fireworks, on an Olympic theme including music from Queen, Muse etc. Unfortunately, rain + wanstead flats = cancelled."

While Kaylie Jadey said: "Dressed for a bonfire with nowhere to go. Wanstead Flats display cancelled. (disappointed face)."

Josephine D'Or ‏added: "Sodding Newham cancelled the fireworks tonight on Wanstead Flats too soggy?? Err!? Not even raining. Dammit."

The announcement was made at 12.30pm on Twitter by the council.

It said: "Guy Fawkes Night #Fireworks at #Wanstead cancelled."

A statement on the council's website yesterday said the decision had been taken because of adverse weather conditions.

It added: "Heavy overnight rain has made conditions at the site in Wanstead Flats very soggy underfoot. With the forecast of more rain during the day, the council has taken the decision to cancel at the earliest opportunity to prevent people travelling to the display.

"We apologise for the late notice but hope people will understand the reason. While it is disappointing, safety has to be our main concern. We are optimistic that we may be able to rearrange the display on another date."