A hospice was forced to back out of a charity concert in its honour amid fears over the spread of the Omicron variant.

Yesterday, (Dec 15) a two hour event full of songs was held at All Saints Church in Mill Street, Maidstone, in aid of Heart of Kent Hospice.

However, due to the increasing number of Omicron cases in the country the hospice made the decision to not attend the night, which was organised by Vox Cantium Choir.

The volunteer committee organised the event in aid of the hospice, and admitted it was disappointed nobody from the charity could come and that people who did attend did so “at their own risk”.

But the hospice said its ‘difficult’ decision was made so those attending didn’t spread the virus in the community or among patients.

The choir said it understood the reasons and advised people attending to wear face masks, bring proof of a negative lateral flow test result and said attendance was ‘at peoples’ own risk.’

Peter Brice, Vox Cantium’s director of music, has directed every service since it started in 1995 and has raised more than £100,000.

A hospice spokesman added: “We have taken the difficult decision to avoid all external events and meetings. This unfortunately includes the carol service and we’re incredibly disappointed.

“We are grateful to the choir and volunteer committee for all the hard work they have put into arranging the carol service.

“Peter Brice, Vox Cantium’s director of music, has directed every carol service since it started in 1995 and we were very much looking forward to celebrating his 25th anniversary - we regret that the spread of the Omicron is preventing us from doing that.”

Flic Brodie, chair of the carol service committee, said: “It was so disappointing, but we can quite understand.

The committee confirmed the audience were asked to wear masks for the full length of the service and said it had no concerns about social distancing due to the size of the church.

She added: “We have asked that everyone has a negative result lateral flow test before they arrived.

“Every other pew was left unoccupied, and guests were asked to sit in their ‘bubbles’ and leave space around them.

“Obviously the intention was not put anyone’s Christmas in jeopardy.”

Over the years the carol concert has raised around £100,000 for the hospice.