It is the question on everyone's lips in St Keverne: What is happening about this year's Ox Roast event?

Now the organising committee behind the popular day have issued an announcement this lunchtime, to say that this year's event, due to be held on August 1, had been cancelled.

The St Keverne Band Committee, which organising the major fundraising event each year, said: "With Covid-19 restrictions impacting us all over the past few months it is with sadness that the St Keverne Band Committee confirm that they will be unable to hold their annual Ox Roast this year.

"Although we have had an easing of restrictions again this week, amateur brass bands are still being advised that they should not be playing, and mass gatherings are still not permitted within the Covid-19 regulations.

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"Covid-19 has had an impact on each and every one of us and the committee feel that the safety of our friends, families and supporters will always be the priority.

"The committee feel that the most responsible action is to cancel the event this year with the aim that we can arrange the Ox Roast again next year and hopefully continue with our plans to hold the Ox Roast on a Saturday for the first time in 2021m pending government guidance at that time."

This year was to have been the first event in its history to be held on a Saturday, to coincide with its 60th anniversary.

Traditionally the event is held on the first Wednesday of August, as historically this was 'half day closing' in Helston and St Keverne, giving the butchers the opportunity to take part and carve the ox.

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However, due to local feedback, organisers took the decision last year to hold it on a Saturday, with the first in the new format booked for August 1, 2020.

Alan Retallack, from the St Keverne Band organising committee, said last year: "It's come from a lot of requests from local people who find it difficult to get the day off during the week and want to have a few drinks in the evening, but they have to work the next day."

The annual event is St Keverne Band's main fundraiser and includes the auctioning of the first slice of ox.