The Board of Trustees of the Royal Bath and West Show has today (May 1) announced the cancellation of this year's event due to the ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus.

The next Royal Bath and West Show will be held at the showground near Shepton Mallet on June 3 to 5 2021.

The board admits this is an extremely difficult decision to make, and having already moved the dates from May to early August, it has become clear that the impact of these challenging times on mass gatherings will not have abated sufficiently to allow the show to go ahead.

Members of the Board say they understand that this is disappointing news for everyone involved with the show, especially given the hope that the postponement offered, but with the ongoing uncertainty around the pandemic and the rules on social distancing, they feel now that it is the responsible decision to take.

The priority remains, as always, the health and safety of visitors, exhibitors, members and staff, they said.

Rupert Cox, the chief executive of the Royal Bath and West Society, said: "Obviously we are hugely disappointed to be taking this decision, and to have to cancel one of the largest events in Somerset is a great shame.

"We hope that our visitors, traders and exhibitors will understand that we have a civic responsibility to act sensibly and in line with government advice.

"That now means cancelling this year's ever-popular Royal Bath and West Show. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to next year's show on June 3 to 5 2021 when we will throw a wonderful party in celebration of Great British farming and rural life."

The society will be in touch with ticketholders for the show with details of what to do next, and will also contact all exhibitors, sponsors and competition entrants.

Everyone will be contacted by the end of May and the society asks for patience due to reduced staffing levels.

The Board of Trustees and all staff at the Royal Bath and West Society say they would like to thank the public, traders, competitors and sponsors for their understanding and patience during this period of uncertainty and what is an unprecedented situation.