A popular West Northumberland carnival event has been forced to be cancelled for the second year running due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Haltwhistle’s annual carnival is one of the town’s major events every summer, but it will not take place in 2021 due to the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus crisis.

Writing on social media the orgainsers of the event said: “It is with great sadness, but no surprise, that Haltwhistle Carnival 2021 will not be going ahead.

“Although restrictions might be lifted by July, it takes months of prep to organise and we do not want the risk of organising to have to cancel - that is triple the work!.

“We also feel, as a committee, that we do not want the responsibility of thousands of people being together in one place - just for now, we will leave that to bigger orgsnisations.

Despite the event itself not taking place later this summer, the organisers are hoping to run some smaller events if restrictions allow later in the year.

The carnival usually features over a week of activities in the lead up to the event itself, including an annual duck race, treasure hunt and a children’s party, with carnival day featuring events such as a float parade, classic vehicles display and a Cumberland wrestling competition.