A two-week-long festival of music and performing arts is the latest Kent event to be postponed over Coronavirus.

Bosses of Deal Music & Arts today announced they were putting the Deal Festival of Music and the Arts back by one year.

Spokeswoman Willie Cooper said the decision was made "with a very heavy heart" and all the charity's education work was also on hold for the time being.

She said: "The safety of our festival-goers, artists, staff and volunteers as well as the wider community is our priority."

Deal Music & Arts has been in existence for nearly 40 years bringing a plethora of fine musicians, some of international renown, to Deal, Dover, Sandwich and Thanet each summer. These include Alison Balsom, OBE, Tim Garland, and musicians from Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra. This is in addition to a comprehensive programme of educational schemes and events throughout the year like Bold As, a brass instrument workshop and concert.

Mrs Cooper added: "This is obviously a time of great distress for us all and we at DMA are determined to secure our work for the future.

"We are working hard to ensure that, as far as possible, we will replicate the 2020 Festival programme in 2021 so that we can share the joy of music and art that we had planned for this summer with you in twelve months."

What she described as "serious financial consequences" for the festival have now prompted an appeal for support.

You can help financially or by joining the Friend of Deal Music and Arts scheme. To enquire email irondraw@btinternet.com.

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