Shepton Nub News has seen at least two local events cancelled in the last day due to rising numbers of coronavirus infections.

Yesterday (December 16) it was revealed that the R rate of transmission of the new Omicron variant has been estimated as between 3 and 5, Susan Hopkins, the chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency, told MPs.

One of the events cancelled was to have been on Saturday in Shepton.

Organisers apologised but said they were worried over the uncertainty.

"We are really sorry, this was the last thing we wanted to do, but we regret to advise that due to the massive increase in Covid-19 cases over the last two days we have had to make the very difficult decision to cancel our Victorian Fayre this Sunday, 19th December.

"We genuinely share your disappointment not least because we have invested a lot of time and effort into organising this event, therefore we want to reassure you that this decision was not taken lightly, but as always, the health and safety of our volunteers, traders and the general public is our highest priority and we feel this is the responsible thing to do.

"We appreciate some may not understand our decision since we are an outdoor event, but it appears we have returned to uncertain times with this new variant and as an organisation we cannot put the lives of our community at risk and hope that you can respect how difficult it was to come to this decision. "

Meantime over in Wells the INDOOR event in the Council Chamber of Wells Town Hall on the 18th December by Theo the Yellow Bird Books has been CANCELLED. All our books and luxury boxed sets are available for local collection from Shipham, Somerset up until 23rd December. www.theotheyellowbird.com or telephone 07756858658