Christmas activities in Aspatria have been cancelled as the town council announced its plans for the festive period.

As Covid-19 continues and more restrictions are announced, the town council has taken the decision to not hold a Christmas light switch on event.

The decision had not been made lightly and it was a topic in the latest council meeting where councillors discussed not having Santa in the town for fear of groups gathering to meet him.

The town will still have all the lights on over Christmas but the seniors' treat will not take place.

A spokesman for Aspatria Town Council said: “ We are disappointed to announce that both the Aspatria Christmas Lights Switch On festivities and Senior Citizens Christmas Treat will not take place this year due to the current Covid-19 pandemic and the heightened risk to public safety.

“The town’s Christmas lights will, however, continue to be lit over the festive period as usual.”

This comes on the back of Carlisle City Council’s decision that this year’s fireworks display, held each year in Bitts Park, and its city centre Christmas lights switch-on event, would be scrapped, also because of the current pandemic.