ORGANISERS of this year’s Bourne Free Pride Festival have announced that it is to be cancelled following the spread of coronavirus.

Planners of the event, which was due to take place from Friday July 3 to Sunday July 5, have expressed “huge disappointment” in abandoning this year’s festival, but have stated they were given “no option” but to take precautions against the Covid-19 outbreak.

Event Director Benjamin Horgan said: "It is with a heavy heart we make this announcement. The event team were really excited about this year’s event, with the changes we made and the countless hours that have been spent on it already, but with the uncertainty we felt we had a social responsibility to cancel the event.

“We thank all our sponsors and contractors who have supported us through this and look forward to working with them all next year making the 2021 event the best it can be.”

The weekend festival joins a long list of Dorset events that have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Bourne Free Pride Festival was due to return to Meyrick Park for the first time in ten years having been told by BCP Council that they had outgrown the Triangle in the town centre.

Attracting around 3,000 people to its past events at its previous location, organisers were hoping that, with the added space and plans of a second stage at the festival, the event would attract even more people for its 16th instalment.

A statement on the Bourne Free website said: “Bourne Free would also like to thank you all for your understanding of this decision and recommend everyone to follow current guidelines and advice put forth by the government and NHS England.

“Support each other, especially those struggling, vulnerable or in need of additional help, throughout this public health issue.”

Festival organisers are in the process of refunding all wristbands sold for the event, with refunds being made on the same payment type made to make the original payment.

Customers who experience any issues with refunds are advised to email to tickets@bournefree.co.uk, who aim to respond within five working days.