WINSFORD Christmas Street Festival is set to be cancelled this year because of the pandemic.

This is the second year Winsford Town Council is responsible for organising and managing the festive event.

Since 2009, hundreds of residents have gathered as a lantern parade, fireworks display, live music, entertainment and stalls celebrate the switch-on of the town's Christmas lights.

In the past, the town council teamed up with various organisations and individuals to organise the festivities as a partnership.

Councillors unanimously agreed to take over responsibility for the festival last year after Cheshire West and Chester Council reviewed the event and requested that one single organisation should be responsible for it in future.

Winsford town councillors are now being asked to consider calling off the 2020 event which had been scheduled for Friday, November 27.

In a report members have been told: "Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic it has not been possible for the organisers to make the necessary arrangements for this event.

"The latest guidance from government has stated that there shall be no social gatherings involving more than six people. Social distancing regulations make mass gatherings even more difficult to organise and regulate.

"It is suggested that the event is cancelled this year. It should be stated that this decision has not been reached lightly - Christmas is an important and central part of the life of the town."

However, the switching on of the Christmas lights is still set to go ahead on Friday, November 27 and could be broadcast to the town via social media.

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It is being suggested that the mayor should carry out the switching on ceremony with a small group of people representing the town.

Members will be asked to consider cancelling the festival and replacing it with a small switching on ceremony for the Christmas lights. at the annual council meeting on Monday evening.