* Council leader says Jim's Tractor Run was cancelled as a local spike and lockdown cannot be risked

• It will not be possible to have the usual range of entertainment at this year's Christmas Fair

• The Town Clerk will be reviewing arrangements with respect to Remembrance Day and Armistice Day

• Council says it feels 'This is the right, and only, course of action to take'

The Leader of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council, Councillor John Coxon, has expressed his disappointment at the news that a number of events in the town have either been cancelled or postponed in the light of the continuing issues associated with the Coronavirus pandemic.

And he confirmed that Ashby's Christmas Fair and Market in December is 'being reviewed' as a direct result of measures caused by the pandemic.

Last week's meeting of the Town Council's Events and Entertainment Committee discussed the cancellation and alteration of some of the town's planned occasions Tractor Run Cancelled

Cllr Coxon said in an Ashby de la Zouch Town Council statement: "Following official government advice regarding social distancing to contain the spread of Covid-19 it is with great regret that Ashby de la Zouch Town Council Events and Entertainment Committee has made the difficult decision to cancel some of its events for the remainder of this year.

"Jim's Tractor Run and Family Fun Day had been postponed from its original date of 25th July to Sunday 6th September.

"The Committee discussed our options in trying to run a safe event in accordance with current government guidelines but ultimately it determined that the risks to the public were too high.

"We can't risk a local spike in cases which could lead to a lockdown in the area, as we have seen in the city of Leicester. We have, therefore, made the difficult decision to cancel the event for 2020. This is particularly unfortunate as last year's event had to be cancelled due to bad weather.

"The Christmas Fair and Market is also being reviewed.

"It will not be possible to have the range of entertainment that has been provided in the past.

"We are considering what options there may be for a very limited market in the main street. But at the moment, I am not optimistic that we can maintain social distancing in such a confined space such as Market Street when we have no control over numbers attending the event.

"The Town Clerk will be reviewing our arrangements with respect to Remembrance Day and Armistice Day in conjunction with our partners in the Royal British Legion, the church and local community groups. Further information will follow just as soon as it is available.

"In light of recent events surrounding the spread of Covid-19 we must ensure that public safety remains our priority. Whilst it is deeply regrettable having to cancel our events during these uncertain times, we feel this is the right, and only, course of action to take.

"We wish you all well, please stay safe."