A SCHEME designed to support community groups in Halstead has been temporarily shelved by the town council due to the continuing coronavirus lockdown.

Halstead Town Council has announced that it has cancelled the annual grant awards to community groups for 2020.

Due to the lockdown forcing many community events to be cancelled, the council says there aren’t enough events to justify the grants this year.

A spokesman said: “Halstead Town Council has considered its annual practice of awarding grants to assist local community groups in their activities, and has also discussed this with previous recipients of the awards.

“It has been agreed, as there is little opportunity at present or for some time in the future to put on any community events, not to award the grants this year.

“It is hoped that the practice will be re-instated in 2021, by which time we may be able to enjoy greater freedom of movement.”