Organisers of a popular funfair have announced that it will not be returning this year but have plans in motion for 2023.

It has been confirmed that Hexham Carnival will not be returning this summer after the last event was in 2019.

The news comes after some speculation from the public, who were wanting to know when the popular event will be back since it was on pause due to Covid.

The event has been on for many years and is known to residents and visitors to be ​a 'truly fantastic day out for all the family' with music, rides, stalls, and food on Abbey Grounds in The Sele park.

It was hoped that the event would return this year, as the organisers thought they could make the carnival of 2022 'bigger and better' after they had to cancel last year due to the ongoing COVID Pandemic at the time which they felt was 'too much of a risk to all their visitors and traders'.

OUR MOST POPULAR ARTICLE: Hexham Courant reader's memories of Baynes Travel in Allendale The carnival is run by Joanna Jackson, Chair of the Committee with Glynis Bell, who is crestfallen to announce that the carnival will once again not be returning this year due to problems with funding.

She said: "We are disappointed that the Carnival isn’t happening this year, but we are self-funded, we don’t get any help from anywhere.

"The costs have risen considerably since the last carnival in 2019 and we just don’t have the funds.

"Despite this, we are starting to plan for 2023, details will be announced."

Upon hearing the news of the carnival being cancelled, one Hexham resident Debby Lowther said: "It is such a shame, an opportunity for revenue in all local shops and businesses. Cafes and pubs would have benefited from the visitors.

"And something for everyone to look forward to."

Hexham Mayor Derek Kennedy also adds: "I am very sorry to learn that the carnival is not going ahead this year and look forward to next year's event.