THE New Forest Fairy Festival has been cancelled - just days before it was due to be held.

The two-day event was set to take place at Burley this weekend but has fallen victim to the recent surge in Covid cases.

Hundreds of people were expected to attend the festival, which has been held at Burley every year since 2014.

Organisers announced the "devastating" cancellation on social media, saying the decision had been taken out of their hands by Public Health England.

In a statement they said: "Over the course of the last few months we have worked extremely hard with all authorities including public health to continue to bring you this festival.

“Unfortunately with the rise of transmission rate in communities across the UK, Public Health England have taken the decision out of our hands.

“We are now in the process of contacting everyone who is involved with the fairy festival, contractors, exhibitors, performers and entertainers.

“All refunds for tickets will be processed and you do not need to contact us for this as this will be automatically done.”

“We thank each and every one of you for continuing to support this beautiful event, that over the years has brought so much happiness, joy and wellbeing to people’s lives.”

The festival was originally due to have taken place last month but was postponed because of the pandemic.

It would have featured a “healing garden”, non-contact holistic workshops, spiritual talks, fairy yoga and burlesque dance workshops.