WHILE lockdown restrictions are expected to be full lifted by the summer, a popular autumn sporting event will not go ahead this year.

For the second year running, the Tyne Tour, which attracts hundreds of canoeists to the district on an annual basis, will not go ahead.

The organising committee at Hexham Canoe Club, which runs the mass participation canoeing event, said it would not have enough time to organise the event once lockdown restrictions were fully lifted in June, if all goes to plan.

In addition, concerns about a third wave of coronavirus cases helped the committee make its decision, a spokesman from the canoe club said.

The spokesman said: “The committee of Hexham Canoe Club has once again reluctantly decided to postpone the popular Tyne Tour kayaking festival.

“While we hope current lockdown restrictions are lifted fully at the end June, this simply does not leave us enough time to plan a safe and enjoyable event for all attendees.

“Couple that with the concerns of a third wave and how that could impact on the famous ceilidh, we were left with few options.

“Hopefully we will be able to return bigger, stronger and safer in 2022.”