BEAMINSTER Festival has been cancelled for the second year in a row.

The event, which usually takes place in June, has been called off due to the uncertainties surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions.

This is the second year the festival has been cancelled due to the pandemic, and the event's organisers hope they can arrange a 'grand' festival in 2022.

A spokesman for the Beaminster Festival Committee and Trustees said: "It is with great regret that we must announce that this year's Beaminster Festival planned for June will not take place and that this will be another year of enforced absence. The safety of all our supporters, friends and volunteers is paramount and with the uncertainties of Covid still with us, the trustees reluctantly decided that it would be unwise to continue with the festival as planned.

"We are very sad and disappointed to have to make this decision, as so many people have been looking forward to attending the festival events this summer. We are extremely grateful to the support that we had when we had to cancel the Beaminster Festival 2020. Most Friends, donors and sponsors allowed us to carry over their donations to the next Festival. This has meant that we still have funds, and although this cancellation will mean further loss, by cancelling now, there is certainty that we will be able to arrange a grand Festival 2022. We sincerely hope that you will be able to support us then.

"Thank you for your incredible support and we look forward to seeing you all soon."

The organisers have also spoken of the possibility of staging individual concerts later in the year if this becomes a feasible option.

They will continue to update supporters via the festival's social media channels, website and its mailing list as to how the committee choose to proceed throughout the year.