WARRINGTON Walking Day 2020 has been postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Warrington Borough Council and senior church representatives made the decision to preserve vital community resources and keep the public safe.

The event, which was also cancelled during the Second World War, was due to take place on Friday, July 3.

Council leader, Cllr Russ Bowden, said: "A huge amount of planning and organising goes into Walking Day, and this takes a great deal of officer time and resource.

"That is time and resource that we need to spend on keeping our essential services running and protecting our most vulnerable people.

"We know how much Walking Day means to people, to our schools and to our churches, as one of the key events in our annual civic calendar.

"However, with the current crisis we are all facing, we have no other choice other than to postpone the event."

Arnold Wright, St Elphin’s Parish Church, who is the Walking Day churches representative, said: "This follows the latest restrictions and advice from government around the coronavirus risk to the public.

"The health and safety of the public and all those who support Walking Day is the most important thing at this time.

"Warrington Walking Day has taken place for many years and brings together young and old.

"It is very disappointing, but we feel this is the correct decision."