NEXT year’s Poole Harbour Boat Show has been cancelled due to coronavirus more than eight months before it was due to take place.

Organisers have blamed ongoing uncertainty around the pandemic.

The show is the biggest, free to attend boat show in the UK, attracting more than 32,000 visitors each year.

After cancelling the 2020 show which was due to take place in June, event organisers Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) have confirmed that the show will not go ahead in 2021 either, but that they hope to see it return in 2022.

"The Boat Show has been a huge success over the past five years and the decision to cancel for 2021 has not been taken lightly. However, pressure on business resources across the marine industry and beyond is high, making planning for the future very difficult.” said Jim Stewart, CEO of PHC.

The event was developed to give something back to the marine community.

But PHC said it now needs to focus resources on its core business objectives due to ongoing uncertainty and the impact of the virus.

Mr Stewart added: "At this uncertain time, it is prudent that as a business we focus on our key Harbour and Port roles and responsibilities. Unfortunately for now, that comes at the cost of the Boat Show. I am confident that by making this difficult decision now, we will be better placed to move forward and face the challenges that lie ahead.

"This is not the end of the Poole Harbour Boat Show, it will return once again as the fantastic event the boating community has come to love."