ORGANISERS of one of south Essex's most popular events have announced that because of the Covid-19 pandemic it will be cancelled for a second year running.

Though lockdown restrictions and safety guidelines are being eased, organisers of the Horndon on the Hill Feast and Fayre - which takes placed annually on the last weekend in June - say there is not enough time left, and still too much uncertainty, to run the event this year.

A statement says: "Regrettably for the second year running, Horndon on the Hill Feast and Fayre will not take place this year. With the Government's earliest possible date for the removal of Covid restrictions only five days before the 2021 event, the Feast and Fayre Committee feel the risk of cancellation is too great to consider organising an event in 2021.

The committee hope to see you for the weekend of 25th/26th June, 2022 for a bumper return of Feast and Fayre with all of the usual festivities and much more!"

This traditional event dates back to the 13th Century when the village was granted a Royal Charter to hold a feast and celebration on the last weekend in June.