THIS year's Malton Food Lovers Festival has been postponed.

The annual event was due to be extended to three days for the first time this year at the end of May.

However Visit Malton has just announced that the event will no longer take place this spring.

A statement said: "It is with deep regret that Visit Malton have to announce the postponement of the Food Lovers Festival, which was due to take place across the Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May.

"It is anticipated that some form of social distancing measures will still be in place during the whole month of May and therefore we have no choice but to postpone our Festival in the interests of the health and safety of our visitors, volunteers, traders, special guests and staff.

"If the UK Government’s plan to ‘turn the tide’ within 12 weeks remains on track, we are hopeful the Food Lovers Festival will be able to take place later in the summer, but we are looking at potential dates later in the year too.

"We will continue to monitor the official advice and will liaise with the fantastic stall holders and chefs we know you love so much to ensure that whenever we are able to run the Festival, it is the very best it can be. In the meantime we urge you to stay safe and we hope to be able to welcome you back to Malton very soon."

The Malton Food Lovers Festival attracts more than 40,000 visitors and was due to return to the town for its 12th year in May, with Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks, who runs The Black Swan at Oldstead and Roots York, making his debut as official patron.

The festival, which was to be the biggest yet, was due to take place from May 23 to 25.

For updates on the Food Lovers Festival and the full programme of Visit Malton events, go to visitmalton.com