AN ANNUAL regatta has been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus.

The Old Leigh Regatta, hosted by the Leigh Lions Club in conjunction with the 3rd Chalkwell Bay and 4th/6th Leigh Scouts, takes place on Sunday September 9 with games, stalls, music and shanty groups.

However, this year it will not go ahead due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and organisers have stopped all preparations due to the uncertainties surrounding the worldwide situation.

A spokesman said: "Following advice from Southend Council and discussions with the scout groups of Old Leigh, who are our partners and main beneficiaries of the Old Leigh Regatta, we have decided that, regretfully, we cannot continue to plan this year’s regatta."

Lion member Tony Prior, Chairman of the regatta committee, said: "We do not feel the current situation will improve sufficiently to allow such an event to go ahead safely.

"We are very grateful to all the stallholders, concessions and performers, who were hoping to join us in September, and we hope to see everyone next year when the Old Leigh Regatta returns."