Congleton Pride Charitable Trust have announced today that they have made the "heart-breaking" decision to postpone this year's event until Spring 2021.

This year's Congleton Pride was scheduled to take place on 18th July 2020.

With the event not taking place until the heart of the summer, committee members were hoping to hold out until closer to the time to make this decision.

However, to avoid disappointment to performers, stall holders, volunteers, community groups and the general public, the committee "needed to make this heart-breaking decision sooner rather than later".

The trust said: "To put on event with much uncertainty going in the world would be unfair to the above mentioned.

"We had to take into consideration the risks it poses to the members of the public and the emergency services, who are fighting for our safety every day.

"Since our mission at Congleton Pride is creating a safe environment for all, no matter the age, race, religion, gender identity, or sexuality - those that are most at risk or are classed as vulnerable wouldn't be able to attend this summer, in today's current climate."

If you have a stall or have been booked for entertainment then you don't have to do anything if you're happy to be a part of the Spring event, as the trust will be contacting you.

The trust is working through everyone as best as they can to ensure everyone is happy with the new arrangements.

However, once a new date has been decided and you can no longer make this date a full refund will be issued.

Please make sure of the person you made the booking with and this will be carried out.

The trust added: "I would also most importantly like to thank each member of our committee for working so hard to plan this year's event, all your hard work will not go to waste it will help us achieve an even bigger Spring event, we really couldn't of done any of this without you all.

"A massive thank you to our main sponsor this year Kanga Health Ltd, we appreciate the support you have given us throughout our journey in creating Congleton Pride over the last two years.

"A big thank you to Congleton Town Council for their financial and moral support and the members of the team who have helped us every step of the way,

"Finally a massive thank you to everyone within the wider community for all the heart-warming support you have shown us over the past two years; without you all it wouldn't have been possible to make everything we stand for at Congleton Pride a reality and we couldn't thank you anymore.

"Stay safe everyone and we will be back in 2021 bigger and better than ever."

Caitlin Walton, co-chair of Congleton Pride, told Nub News that the uncertainty the coronavirus pandemic has brought meant that they couldn't guarantee a rescheduled event later in the year would go ahead either.

Miss Walton said: "It was going to be a bigger event, it's a sad decision to make but it's important to make the right decision which as a committee we all agreed with.

"This is just another part of the story for us, we will continue to grow."

Miss Walton stated that discussions had taken place about the possibility of doing some fundraising events around Halloween, pending coronavirus developments.

To keep up to date with Congleton Pride, visit their Facebook page.