A POPULAR food festival that attracts hundreds of people won’t be taking place this year, organisers have announced.

Poole Seafood Festival has been held on Poole Quay for the past two years and was due to take place from June 2 to 4. 

However, organisers have said it is not possible to deliver a “viable festival under present conditions”.

In a statement issued this morning, Ben Dyas of Poole Seafood Festival, said: “Unfortunately, Poole Seafood Festival will not take place this year.

“After much consideration it has become clear that it is not possible to deliver a viable festival under present conditions, so sadly we will not be taking up the option to run the event for the third year of the tender.

“For the last two years, we have hosted Dorset's only free seafood festival on Poole Quay.

"Despite enormous challenges as we came out of Covid, we still managed to put on a great day out with food, drink and music.”

The statement continued: “We have invested a lot of time and money in this event and we are saddened that it is not possible to continue this into the future.”

Last year's event took place at the beginning of June and attracted hundreds of visitors. 

Organisers said its other “very successful” events including the Ultimate Festivals at Upton Country Park and Poole Harbour Festival are not affected and will go ahead as planned.

The Ultimate Festivals takes place between May 26 and 28 with Poole Harbour Festival due to be held from July 28 to 30.