An historic annual event to remember one of the Town's most famous people is being held online.

Medway Council is holding the yearly Dickens' Festival, which commemorates the former Chatham writer's death, with a host of virtual activities.

The planned event, which usually takes places in Rochester High Street, would have marked 150 years since he died.

However, it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The virtual event starts today and will run until Sunday, with people able to take part in quizzes, watch videos and talks as well as take part in virtual trails.

Dickens spent much of his life in Medway and many of his novels and characters were inspired by his experiences of living here.

Eastgate House in Rochester features in The Pickwick Papers and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The Grade I listed Elizabethan mansion, which was built in 1590, was also used as a Victorian school.

The local authority's portfolio holder for community services, Cllr Howard Doe (Con), said: “Although we will not be marking the 150th anniversary of Dickens’ death as we had planned I am pleased that we will be commemorating his death and celebrating his much loved works.

"We are proud of Medway’s connections to Dickens and I would encourage residents to take part in our virtual celebrations.”

Gillingham South Councillor Clive Johnson (Lab) added: "It is disappointing, though perfectly correct in these troubled times, that we in Medway will not hold this weekend the Dickens Festival which would have marked 150 years since Dickens's death today.

"Dickens's life and work are rooted around us: his childhood partly spent in Chatham, his later years at Gad's Hill, his holidays along the coast, the countryside and buildings of his novels in Rochester and on the stark marshlands."

To join in on the Dickens fun and activities for families and fans from home visit www.medway.gov.uk/dickens150 or follow Enjoy Medway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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