CORONAVIRUS looks set to wipe out Cumbria’s agricultural show season which pulls in hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and brings a boost to the local economy.

While many of the county’s largest agricultural shows have already been cancelled, others have come to a halt after the government issued advice against large public gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Casualties already include the flagship Cumberland Show, due to take place in June, quickly followed by the news that two other major agricultural shows, Penrith and Skelton, would also not be taking place.

And just at the weekend, organisers of the popular village Dalston Show made the decision to cancel their 2020 event, with show secretary, Nick Utting issuing a statement: "The Dalston Show Committee regret to announce the cancellation of our 2020 Show. The current Covid-19 social distancing restrictions indicate little likelihood of the show being able to proceed as normal and therefore in the interests of all concerned and in particular the local community we feel that cancellation is appropriate at this time.

"We hope that all our supporters and regular participants will understand our decision and will return for our 2021 Show on August 14."

Other shows due to take place in August, Cockermouth, Dumfries, and Appleby have already cancelled their 2020 events.

Keswick Show, which traditionally takes place on August Bank Holiday Monday has posted a notice on its website stating it will make a decision on the fate on the show this month. A statement from the committee said: "In view of the current uncertainty concerning coronavirus, we have decided to suspend receipt of trade stands applications etc. until the situation as to how we intend to proceed becomes clear. In the event the show is cancelled, we shall ensure payments already received will be refunded."

One of the county’s smaller, traditional shows, Hesket Newmarket Show, due to take place on September 5, is hoping to still go-ahead. Secretary, Mary Brough said: “We are hoping things will change. We could pull a show together in a couple of weeks. It won’t look the same as previous shows, but if there are restrictions we can adapt. September is a long way off, and we would prefer to sit and wait rather than cancel the show at this stage.”

Another major county show, the Westmorland Show, due to take place in September, is also waiting it out. A statement on its website declared the situation was out of their hands, but "whilst there is hope, we will continue to make arrangements for the ‘best one-day show in the country".