Maryport carnival will not go ahead this year.

Chairman Billy Pegram released a statement this week saying that the uncertainties of the pandemic had led to the decision to abandon the carnival for the second year.

The statement read: "After much careful thought and discussion with regard to the current and predicted pandemic restrictions the carnival committee feel it has a duty of care to the residents and visitors planning to attend.

"Reluctantly therefore the event will be cancelled in 2021."

The very popularity of the carnival is one of the reasons it has been cancelled.

Over recent years hundreds of people have attended and Mr Pegram said it has been brilliant to see it’s popularity continue to grow year on year.

"However weighing up the number of people who would likely attend again this year against the risk to public health is just too big of a risk to take.

"With the positive news that the vaccination program is going well, hopefully we can look forward with more confidence and hold our Carnival on July 9 2022

"So get ready with your bright ideas to bring smiles to everyone faces next year. and thank you for your understanding."

Mr Pegram said while the risk to health had been the biggest factor there had been other considerations take, too.

Maryport's pubs and schools make up many of the entries in the carnival parade.

"With pubs being closed and the disruption there has been to education, we also felt that people were not have had time to prepare floats for entertainment as they usually would."