BOURNEMOUTH 7s have announced that this year’s event, their 13th instalment, is cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

Organisers announced back in March that the event was due to be moved to the August Bank Holiday weekend, but have said they have been left with “no choice” but to cancel this year’s festival.

The rugby and music festival, which was moved to August Bank Holiday weekend, will return Friday May 28 to Sunday May 30 2021.

Founder and CEO Roger Woodall said: “We tried everything we could to keep the Festival alive. Every day has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but we conceded at the end of last week that it wouldn’t be right to carry on.

“If I’m being honest, I’ve found it very hard to make this announcement; I’d held on to a hope that Boris and his colleagues may find a way for events to go ahead.

“On a positive note, the few days since we made our decision have given our small team the opportunity to reflect on how many laughs and great experiences, we have created for everyone over the past decade and re-focus our energies on 2021.”

Ticket holders and team entries for this year’s event will automatically roll over to next year.

For people who are unable to make the 14th instalment of the festival, a full refund, including the booking fee, will be returned. For more information, visit the event’s website.

Roger added: “A huge thank you goes to the 350+ teams and the tens of thousands of party people for your amazing support in committing to the August dates as we know this would have been another sell-out festival, our sixth in a row.

“Year 13, unlucky for some, wasn’t meant to be, but we promise you all that year 14 is going to be an absolute cracker!”