The popular Bath Christmas Market has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Last year more than 140 Saturday trains stopped at Bath Spa to serve the market, which attracts tens of thousands of people each year. 

Scores of shoppers from the Cotswolds and North Wiltshire make the short journey to the historic city over the festive season. 

Kathryn Davis, chief executive of Visit Bath, said in a statement today: “It is disappointing that we cannot hold the Christmas Market this year, but I hope everyone will understand the reason for this decision and the early notice we are giving. We fully understand the value of the Bath Christmas Market to the city, but public safety and preventing the spread of Covid-19 has to come first.

“We are pro-actively working with partners across the city to create a Christmas event in Bath that will still support our local economy, but in a way that can be adapted as needed and disperses visitors across the city.

"So there will still be an exciting programme of events in the run up to Christmas. Bath & North East Somerset Council, Visit Bath, Bath BID and Bath Festivals are all working together to create a four week programme which will include dressing the city, music and entertainment, cultural events, street stalls and artisan food; all part of a Christmas celebration for residents and visitors alike and all delivered in a Covid-secure way."