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| Blyth Tall Ships regatta hit by waterlogged car park | Blyth Tall Ships regatta hit by waterlogged car park |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A Tall Ships regatta in Northumberland has been hit by bad weather which has forced the closure of one of the event's two main car parks. | A Tall Ships regatta in Northumberland has been hit by bad weather which has forced the closure of one of the event's two main car parks. |
| More than 20 of some of the finest vessels in the world are on show at the Port of Blyth until Monday. | More than 20 of some of the finest vessels in the world are on show at the Port of Blyth until Monday. |
| But organisers said heavy overnight rain had resulted in the closure of the southern park and ride facility, which is on grassland near Seaton Sluice. | But organisers said heavy overnight rain had resulted in the closure of the southern park and ride facility, which is on grassland near Seaton Sluice. |
| Visitors have been redirected to a car park north of Blyth which remains open. | Visitors have been redirected to a car park north of Blyth which remains open. |
| Up to 500,000 people are expected to visit the regatta, which has been jointly organised by Northumberland County Council. | Up to 500,000 people are expected to visit the regatta, which has been jointly organised by Northumberland County Council. |
| A council spokeswoman said more than 30 shuttle busses had been laid on to cope with the additional pressure on the remaining car park. | |
| She said: "The South car park for the Tall Ships event is closed today due to heavy rain, and all visitors must use the North car park. | |
| "All park and ride highway signs will direct motorists to the North car park which is hard standing. | "All park and ride highway signs will direct motorists to the North car park which is hard standing. |
| "All pre-purchased event parking tickets are valid for the North car park. | |
| We would ask people to please follow signs for park and ride North (A189 exit at Cambois) where 36 shuttle buses are running to the regatta. | |
| "The event is fully open with a fantastic line up of entertainment." | "The event is fully open with a fantastic line up of entertainment." |
| The South car park is expected to reopen on Monday. | The South car park is expected to reopen on Monday. |
| The council believes the North East economy is likely to benefit by as much as £13m from the event. | The council believes the North East economy is likely to benefit by as much as £13m from the event. |
| The majority of the ships will set off on Monday to race to Gothenburg in Sweden after taking part in a parade of sail. | The majority of the ships will set off on Monday to race to Gothenburg in Sweden after taking part in a parade of sail. |