One of Kent's biggest community carol-singing events has been cancelled in the wake of growing concerns over the Omicron Covid variant.

Hundreds of people would have gathered in Canterbury city centre on Christmas Eve for the traditional open-air concert, which was first held in 1952 and helps raise money for the Lord Mayor's Christmas Gift Fund.

Proceeds from the concert, which is usually attended by the Archbishop, help buy hundreds of Christmas hampers and gifts for deprived families and the elderly in Canterbury.

Organisers also had to cancel last year's concert due to festive restrictions but still held an online event and received donations from a song performed by the local duo Kids of Yesterday.

Now, with Covid infection rates rising rapidly across Kent and the government considering more restrictions, they have decided to reluctantly pull the plug just four days before this Friday's event, which they have been organising for months.

They say the decision is based on the "current uncertainties" regarding Covid-19.

"A lot had gone into planning the event, and if things had stayed as they were on an even keel, we probably would have carried on," said fund chairman Tony Loughran.

"But we were obviously acutely concious of what might happen with a new variant and the rise in infection rates.

"We just felt uncomfortable about whether having a large crowd in the city centre in an enclosed space was the right thing to do, and decided it would be unwise.

"We know that the event is a highlight in the diaries of so many local people, but the wellbeing of all participants must be our priority."

Fortunately, this year's Christmas presents have already been bought and distributed to local families, but the absence of another carol-singing fundraiser will be a blow to next year's gift fund.

Mr Loughran said: "We are grateful to everyone who has supported our appeal to date and they can still help us, by donating through JustGiving or Text Giving.

"We welcome any donations - no matter how small - towards the cost of the grocery parcels and gift cards that we have distributed this year, but please give electronically if you can."

Donations can be made by clicking here or by texting Fund 3, Fund 5 or Fund 10 to 70460, to donate £3, £5 or £10.

Other organisations are also likely to be reviewing their activities in the wake of any new government restrictions which may be announced this week.

At St Mary's Church in Chartham, a planned crib service at 3pm on Christmas Eve will now be streamed online.