A VILLAGE festival is the latest to fall victim to the coronavirus pandemic.

With the continuing uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and its predicted existence into 2021, Ireby Festival Committee has been discussing the future of the event.

It is with great sadness, due to the situation, that the decision has been made to postpone the festival, that takes place south of Wigton, scheduled for May 2021.

A spokesman for the committee said: "In reaching this decision the committee has taken into consideration the Government statements as to the possibility of a second wave of the pandemic, as well as the statements given regarding gatherings in confined spaces, such as the festival marquee.

"Government guidance is that mass gatherings should not take place.

"We note that other events taking place in Cumbria during the remainder of 2020 have been cancelled.

"Cumbria Constabulary will not give consent for festivals for the foreseeable future.

"Other indications are that large gatherings scheduled for the first quarter of 2021 have been postponed until the summer."

The safety of artists, visitors, volunteers and the community in and near Ireby remains first priority.

In addition, the committee know that individual concerns about personal health and safety will no doubt impact the sale of festival tickets during the critical period that starts in September 2020. The festival would, in the normal event, be largely sold out by the end of December.

"The uncertainty this causes exposes the festival to serious financial risk should ticket sales not achieve expected levels," continued the spokesman.

"As a festival we would take seriously our obligations to ticket holders and artists alike, we have not take the decision lightly but feel we have little choice in the postponement. We would like to welcome all festival goers on May 27 and 28, 2022."

In recent years, Ireby Festival has grown in its stature and reputation, attracting some big name musicians to the village event.