Cirencester's much-anticipated free-to-enter music and arts festival has been cancelled.

Organisers of the Phoenix Festival, Cirencester Community Development Trust and Cirencester Town Council have had to take the difficult joint decision to cancel this years festival in the Abbey Grounds due to the current government advice on mass gatherings.

A spokesman for the Phoenix Festival said: "The uncertainty caused by the coronavirus situation and the restrictions imposed make the festival unworkable this year and could result in significant financial losses that would threaten the whole future of the festival itself, which has become the largest and most loved annual community event in Cirencester.

"We would like to ensure that by taking this decision we will still have funds available for next year.

"Although restrictions are being relaxed unfortunately they are not coming soon enough to make a festival viable this year and we gave it the best chance possible by delaying our decision as long as we feasibly could.

"We apologise to all our friends, volunteers, supporters, sponsors, artists, contractors and everyone who was looking forward to an amazing show but I think you will agree that although disappointing, it is the right decision as the safety of everyone is our main concern.

"The Phoenix Festival Team are determined to bounce back with another great event on August Bank Holiday in 2021 and planning has already started."