STOURBRIDGE Carnival 2020 has been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Carnival organiser David Harcourt said he had been keeping an eye on latest government advice and waiting to see whether there would be any possibility of holding the traditional summer fun day in July but sadly it was not to be.

He said: "I have been tracking developments regarding coronavirus to see if there would be a glimmer of hope of staging the carnival in July.

"My benchmark for carnival 2020 and making a decision was originally based on Wimbledon and specifically the Wimbledon finals which occur around the same time as carnival day.

"I have since waited a further few weeks to see if there would be any change, which there hasn't been. So, sadly, I am formally cancelling Stourbridge Community Carnival 2020."

Mr Harcourt, who has been the driving force behind the family fun day for many years, said anyone who has paid in advance for a stall at the event will be fully reimbursed and he urged everyone to "stay safe".

Stourbridge town councillor Nic Barlow said: "I am really sorry to hear this year's carnival has been cancelled - a decision that is perfectly understandable under the current circumstances."