ORGANISERS of the Christchurch Carnival have announced that this year’s event is to be cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Planners revealed that the event in mid-August was to be annulled on their Facebook page on Tuesday evening, expressing their “deep regret” in making the “difficult decision to cancel”.

The two-day event, due to be held on Saturday August 15 and Sunday August 16, is one of the most popular events on the Christchurch calendar, attracts over 5,000 visitors to Christchurch Quay.

In the statement posted on the event’s Facebook page, organisers said: “We find ourselves in an unprecedented and uncertain time and we all must do everything we can to keep everyone in our community as safe and healthy as possible.

“This time has been particularly tough on some of the wonderful local businesses who generously support the carnival each year.

“Without the guarantee of their financial support the carnival committee felt unable to make any other decision than to cancel this year’s event.”

Organiser have said that they haven’t picked a date for next year yet but expect it to be “around the second week of August”.

The carnival joins a long list of major events in the area which have been forced to cancel or postpone due to the Covid-19 pandemic, including the Poole Harbour Boat Show, Bourne Free Pride Festival and Christchurch Food Festival.

Organisers added: “The Carnival Committee is made up of a small team of local volunteers and we have watched with great pride the way that the people of Christchurch have come together and supported each other during these past few months.

“We look forward to seeing that incredible community spirit continue as we work together to make Christchurch Carnival 2021 the best yet.”