The organisers of Ellesmere’s Christmas Winter Festival have announced the event will not go ahead in its usual format this year.

Covid-19 has meant major alterations to, or cancellations of, many events across the region.

This year’s Christmas Winter Festival will have no stalls and parade, but instead Fizzgigs and The Carnival Group will be offering other festive events.

Collections will still be made by the Rotary Club of Ellesmere for the Tree of Light Christmas Tree.

A spokesman for the festival posted on Facebook: “Rotary will still be collecting for the Tree of Light Christmas Tree and the Chamber of Commerce are hoping shops will arrange late night shopping evenings to help those working to be able to shop local.

“It’s been a sad decision to make by the groups who put on the festival for the town and its visitors, but we hope you understand that to encourage a large crowd into Ellesmere just won’t be safe under the current circumstances.

“Further details of the events will be posted as soon as possible.

“We hope things return to the normal festivities on Friday, November 26, 2021.

“This has been discussed between festival organising members from Ellesmere Chamber of Commerce, Ellesmere Rotary, Ellesmere Carnival and Fizzgigs Community Arts Group.”