ONE of the Lakes’ most-loved annual sporting fixtures has become the latest victim of coronavirus.

This year’s scheduled Ambleside Sports event has now been cancelled, organisers announced this week.

They said the event, which takes place on the last Thursday in July at Rydal Park, will not be held this year owing to the ongoing crisis.

Ambleside Sports had maintained before this week that it would "definitely take place as scheduled".

However, organisers were forced to row back on an earlier statement earlier this week.

A spokesperson for Ambleside Sports said: "If the situation improves dramatically, some sort of event might be feasible on the showground at Rydal."

The event - which includes wrestling competitions and a variety of races - dates back to the 19th century and is attended by thousands of visitors from within and outside of Cumbria every year.

Jak Hirst, President of Ambleside Sports, said: “The decision to cancel Ambleside Sports was not taken lightly and clearly it was the right thing to do.

"But there is a glimmer of hope.

"The date is four months away and things may well change for the better.

“Looking on the positive side, if things improve and the Government gives the go ahead for public gatherings to take place then we will stage an event of some kind – providing the announcement comes by the end of June. Members of the Sports Committee have agreed to work towards a plan, which can be quickly activated if circumstances allow.”