ISLE of Wight Pride, which was due to take place on July 18th, has been cancelled because of coronavirus.

Feeling sad? Smile your way through 2019's pictures. Scroll down for a link...

The event's trustees have released a statement saying "we feel we can no longer carry on this year", but they have promised to be back on the beach in 2021.

The statement said health and safety and the impact of coronavirus on the Isle of Wight's tourism businesses - some sponsor the event - had to be taken into account.

The trustees said: "We need to put the safety and wellbeing of our communities, the wider public and our valued volunteers first.  This decision is not one we have taken lightly as we had big plans, including returning to the beach. It is a huge disappointment to us all.   

"We have also considered how the crisis has affected many of our local sponsors, some of whom rely heavily on tourism and are now facing very uncertain times.

"The situation regarding events in July is unknown. However, with the lockdown in place and essential instruction to people to stay at home and only travel if necessary, it makes it near impossible to plan and prepare for our event over the next couple of months."

It is the latest in a series of Isle of Wight events to be cancelled or postponed.

Isle of Wight County Press:

As the Isle of Wight County Press previously reported, Wight Proms has been rescheduled and the Isle of Wight Festival has been called off until 2021.

Read more: Isle of Wight Festival cancelled

Pride organisers said: "As a charity we also have to consider the risk to us of investing money in planning for an event which may not be able to take place and that this could result in significant debt and perhaps loss of the charity and the event itself in future years. 

"IW Pride would like to thank everyone who has bought tickets. You will be receiving an email, please look out for an email from them which will confirm a full refund including any booking fees.  

"We will be back in 2021 and hope to see you on the beach again. Stay healthy, keep safe and remember #Lovewins." 

Scroll through our fabulous pictures from 2019, showing a rainbow of colour at Pride in Ryde.

An explosion of colour in Ryde — sun shines and crowds turn out to support LGBTQ+ community for Isle of Wight Pride

UPDATE:

Council leader, Cllr Dave Stewart, said of IW Pride: "I appreciate how hard it will have been to have made this decision, and I want to thank the trustees for making the sensible choice.

“I understand the disappointment this will bring to many people and the impact on communities and businesses both on the Island and beyond.

“Isle of Wight Pride has grown into one of the Island's most popular events and supports the local community. I look forward to Pride returning next year.”

#Stay Safe #Protect the NHS #Stay at Home