Three of Thornbury's biggest annual arts events have been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Thornbury Arts Festival and the associated Severn Vale Art Trail, as well as Thornbury Jazz Festival have all fallen victim to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, with both events being cancelled.

The arts festival should have run from April 24-May 2, with the arts trail due to have taken place from May 1-10.

But in view of the Government’s action to deal with the spread of the disease, the festival’s organising team said: “Regrettably we consider that it is appropriate with immediate effect to cancel Thornbury Arts Festival for this year.”

The committee said money paid for tickets would be refunded but that it could take some time to organise, maybe a few weeks.

In a message to supporters, it also said: “Inevitably, we will have incurred costs that we will not be able to recover and would welcome any donation that you might be willing to make to defray those costs and secure the livelihood of future Thornbury Arts Festivals.

“We thank you for your support of Thornbury Arts Festival in these unique and difficult times and we would ask for your patience over the coming weeks.”

The festival is organised entirely by volunteers and this year had been set to welcome performers such as impressionist and comedian Alistair McGowan, who had been booked to perform his Piano Show.

Los Pacaminos, the Tex-Mex band fronted by singer-songwriter Paul Young, was also in the programme, along with comedian Alfie Moore, jazz singer Cate Cody and former Home Secretary Alan Johnson.

The art trail had been set to feature nearly 70 artists in 33 venues across the Severn Vale.

Thornbury Jazz Festival, which would have been held in the Armstrong Hall on Saturday, March 28, has also been postponed.

“This is a huge disappointment,” said Gareth Williams, of the festival’s organising committee.

“We’ve taken this difficult decision with great reluctance, but this is the only sensible option right now.

“The fact that this is the fate of many other events up and down the UK isn’t much consolation.

“All we can do is to look forward to running the festival on a later date, which we’re determined to do.

“At present, various other events are being re-scheduled for the autumn, but we are waiting to see how the coronavirus epidemic evolves before making any decisions.”

All concert and meal tickets can be held over until the festival takes place. Alternatively, tickets can be refunded. Anyone wishing to be refunded should call 01454 412272.

Jazz guitarist Remi Harris was scheduled to headline the festival alongside bassist Tom Moore.

Sinead McCabe and the Sinnermen, a Bristol-based group headed by jazz veteran Cass Casswell on double bass, the Jenner Jazz Quartet, and the Kris Nock Big Band were also on the bill.