MALVERN'S popular Elgar Festival, due to take place this summer, has been cancelled due to coronavirus.

The festival, which celebrates the life and music of the composer, was due to have taken place between May 28 and 31 in venues in Worcester and Malvern.

Dr Adrian Gregson, chair of the Elgar Festival, said: "We are very disappointed that we have had to cancel the 2020 Festival, but, like most of our peer organisations, we have reluctantly accepted that the current pandemic means that it will not be possible to present concerts in May of this year

"Our first concern must always be for the health and well-being of our audiences and performers."

Artistic director Kenneth Woods said the Festival has already begun looking at plans for the future. He said: “This is a time of unprecedented challenge for musicians and musical organisations worldwide, but we must all have faith that this is only a temporary setback, and so we are looking to the future in a hopeful spirit.

"We’re monitoring the situation closely, and as soon as we have a realistic idea of when it will be safe to resume concert giving, we will be ready with exciting plans to bring Elgar’s music back to the city and county of his birth."

Ticketholders will be offered a refund, but are also encouraged to consider donating their ticket purchase to the Festival. Enquires can be made via elgar@elgarfestival.org