The popular Lakes Hospitality Trade Show has been postponed due to coronavirus.

Organisers, the Lakes Hospitality Association, said following recent government announcements about covid-19, it took the decision to reschedule for October.

James Tasker, hotelier and show director, said: “Under the circumstances, we feel the correct thing to do is postpone the show and return even stronger in the coming months.

"Behind the scenes, we have been working closely with Cumbria Tourism who have given our decision their full support.

"The health and safety of all our exhibitors and visitors has always been – and shall continue to be our top priority, and is the reason behind our decision.

"As we plan for the rescheduled dates on October 6 and 7, we will continue to closely monitor information from the World Health Organisation and follow government advice.

“We are obviously very disappointed to make this announcement and apologise to exhibitors and all our guests.

“Tourism businesses are rightly concerned at the present time, but we will use the next few months to ensure that we develop plans for the show to ensure we can serve and support our exhibitors to even greater effect, and in turn, help them to recover from this disruption as quickly as possible."

Last year, more than 140 Cumbrian businesses exhibited at the two-day show, held at the Rural Auction Centre at Junction 36 of the M6.

More than 1,250 delegates attended.

Mr Tasker added: "We hope to see an improvement in the coronavirus situation in the coming months and when we do return, we will be stronger than ever. We very much look forward to seeing everyone on October 6 and 7."

Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, said: “These are exceptional circumstances and Cumbria Tourism is working around the clock to support local tourism businesses.

"We will continue to work closely with the LHA to ensure an even bigger and better autumn event, which we know will be massively welcomed by those in the industry who we know share our determination and extraordinary capacity to work together for the benefit of the industry.

“Meeting with and speaking to hundreds of business this last few weeks I am greatly buoyed by the integrity, determination and generosity of Cumbria’s hospitality sector to work together and support one another through this period and to collectively achieve even greater things going forward."