A unanimous decision has been made by the organisers of Falmouth’s International Sea Shanty Festival to announce that this year’s event, due to take place from the June 12-14 has been cancelled.

It has not been an easy choice to make for the Festival Working Committee, but in respect of the current situation with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak it would not be right to continue with plans for this year, it said.

People travel to the festival not only from the UK but from all over Europe, so the decision is only right given the current circumstances, the organisers said.

A good deal of time, energy and planning has gone into this years’ event and the shanty committee said it could not give enough thanks to the venues, groups, sponsors and suppliers for their participation in the organising up to this point.

Performances were planned for over 70 groups across 25 venues. All groups and venues will be pencilled in for next year’s festival as plans for 2021 get underway.

Richard Gates, festival chairman, said: “This is a challenging time, not only for the UK but for many countries and we thank you for your understanding in what for all of us, is an unprecedented and unexpected environment. It hasn’t been an easy decision, but the safety of the public is paramount. We hope for the support from the town and all festival goers as we look onward to plans for next year’s Shanty Festival.”

A strong focus is in place to go bigger and better for Falmouth’s International Sea Shanty Festival 2021, which will take place from June 11 to 13. For more information visit falmouthseashanty.co.uk

The Falmouth Classics, which takes place on the same weekend, has also been cancelled.

The 2020 organising team has worked hard to plan and prepare for what promised to be a great event with tall ships in the port, an exciting array of exhibitors in the maritime village, a great parade of sail and power, which would have included a spectacle to mark the Falmouth Harbour commissioners anniversary and of course racing in both the Carrick Roads and Falmouth Bay.

Chairman Keith Tullett said: "Falmouth Classics Association would like to thank all those who have already entered, our very supportive sponsors and our advertisers.

"This is an unprecedented occurrence in the long history of the Classics but we look forward to a healthy 2021, when the Classics will take place from June 11-13."