THIS year's Whitley 10k and Whitley Rose Queen events have been cancelled in line with Government advice on coronavirus.

Full refunds are being given to all those who had already entered for the 10k, which was due to take place on May 3, while organisers are now planning for the next race on April 18, 2021.

Pete Clayton, race director, said: "In the end it wasn’t a difficult decision, there are clearly more important things going on at the moment and even though the event was in May there is no realistic chance of it taking place safely.

"I would like to thank the many people including all the volunteers, runners and of course sponsors who had already made commitments to this year race, particularly our main sponsors Lakeland Trucks, Schmidt Cargobull and Blue Arrow Traffic Management.

"Unlike other similar events, we have made the decision not to try and move it to later in the year but will focus on planning for next year. We have quickly settled on the date of next year's race in the hope that people can put that in their diaries now."

Whitley Village Hall, which would have hosted the Rose Queen event in June, has also been closed until further notice.

Steve Moore, chairman of the hall committee, said: "The decision has been taken in light of recent government advice and numerous cancellations from our regular users including the 10k and long standing Whitley Rose Queen in June.

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"We felt the action was very much in line with Government advice to reduce non-essential contact and discourage non-essential travel. Access to the village hall will be for essential maintenance works only. The adjacent field will remain accessible for all."

For more information visit the Whitley Village Hall website.