An annual Saint George's Day celebration has been cancelled amid growing fears over the coronavirus pandemic.

The yearly Dartford and Gravesham event was set to take place on April 23 and usually includes up to 22 schools from the areas.

However, due to the rising number of cases of people contracting COVID-19 it has been pulled by Cohesion Plus, who worked alongside the Kent Equaity Cohesion Council, as well as Gravesham and Dartford council to organise it.

Artistic director of Cohesion Plus, Gurvindher Sandher, said: "We are immensely proud of our Saint George’s day celebrations which have developed into some of the biggest in the country.

"In view of the governments ongoing advice on public gatherings we feel we have a responsibility to the schools, artists and members of the public that would have been participating in this year’s celebrations.

"We hope that everyone remains well and that the various steps we and our partners are taking will help reduce risks at this very difficult and worrying time."

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