Wirral's world-famous Egg Run has been cancelled for the SECOND time.

The 2013 Run was thought to have been saved when sponsors stepped in with a cash donation after it had been called off in December due to lack of funding. 

United Utilities came forward with a £20,000 sponsorship package and the Run looked set to go ahead as planned.

But organisers today told the Globe that despite the water company's financial support, sufficient funding cannot be guaranteed from other sponsors to meet the total cost of running the event safely and professionally.

Also, the usual “landing zone” for thousands of motorbikes at Clatterbridge Hospital is not available due to construction work due to take place at the site.

The Trustees and members of the Wirral Egg Run Committee say they "fully understand and support"  hospital bosses' decision to go ahead with upgrading their site and accept that the improvements must take priority over the event.

A spokesman said: "We have discussed other options for different versions of the run but with only seven weeks to plan such a major change, it is simply not feasible.

"We would strongly ask our fantastic supporters to please act responsibly and not turn up on March 17.

"We would also ask that people do not take eggs to Clatterbridge Hospital on the day as this would cause a major inconvenience to what is, after all, a hospital."

The spokesman continued: "Importantly however we would also like to stress that this is very much merely a hiatus for a much-loved event.

"Much work is now in progress to ensure the April 6, 2014, Wirral Egg Run returns, bigger and better, and we hope we can rely on everyone’s support to make next year a great success."

The Run has grown in popularity to a massive degree since its launch in 1981 and around 12,000 bikers attended last year's event.

Further information will be available on the website www.wirraleggrun.co.uk and also Facebook and Twitter.