Falmouth Spring Festival has been cancelled.

The event, due to run from March 19-29, is organised by the Falmouth Business Improvement District (BID) and sponsored by the University of Exeter.

Richard Wilcox, of Falmouth Town Team, said: "It is with sadness that the organisers of the Falmouth Spring Festival announce that this year’s event, due to take place from the March 19-29 has been cancelled.

"The decision is made in respect of the current situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak across the UK.

"A good deal of time, energy and planning has gone into the 2020 event and the team would like to thank a number of partners for their commitment and understanding, in particular the University of Exeter, Falmouth Town Council, Plastic Free Falmouth, town businesses, Greenyard Flowers, Cormac, our local schools and resident community groups."

"This is an unprecedented time and we thank you for your understanding in what is for all of us, a challenging environment."

The festival invites visitors and residents to celebrate and experience Falmouth’s multi-award-winning green spaces, inspirational coastline and exciting venues.

Over the eight days the festival was due to host various activities including rock pooling on Castle Beach, science in the pub, Gylly beach games and more.

The event is supported by Cormac, Falmouth Town Council and Plastic Free Falmouth.

Primary and nursery school children in Falmouth and surrounding areas were planning to help distribute around 40,000 freshly picked local daffodils to businesses and passers-by.

The festival also included Falmouth Spring Flower Show, which would have been held on the weekend of March 28/29.

Organiser Jean Carr has said: "Many of the organising committee are over 70 in what is a truly community event, with ages ranging from four to over 80.

"It is a great shame but we'll now concentrate on making next year's event bigger and better than ever."

Plans are in place to host the colourful Falmouth Spring Festival in 2021 and the dates for that will be announced in due course.