Local and international gurning enthusiasts have been left downhearted after the difficult decision has been taken to cancel the Egremont Crab Fair for a second year.

The Egremont Crab Fair committee released a statement on their Facebook page to say that the two day fair and gurning championships will not take place in 2021. The fair also had to be cancelled in 2020, due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

On the Egremont Crab Fair and World Gurning Championship Facebook page the committee said: "It is with a heavy heart that Egremont Crab Fair Committee has made the sad, but sensible, decision to cancel the 2021 Crab Fair which was due to be held on Friday and Saturday, 17th and 18th of September.

"The health and safety of participants and spectators is paramount, and the risks and uncertainties associated with England’s progression towards a more normal life after Covid make it sensible for us to concentrate on making Crab Fair 2022 bigger and better than ever. We look forward to seeing you all on Friday and Saturday, 16th and 17th of September 2022."

Chairman of the committee, Callum Scott, 31, from Bigrigg, said it had been a difficult decision, but they did not want to put anyone in danger of the virus and safety was the top concern.

He said: "We don't want to take a risk of spreading the virus. It would be impossible to do it virtually, you need the crowds and the atmosphere."

Callum added that there had been plenty of disappointed comments from people on Facebook asking why the fair could not go ahead, but assures fans that: "as soon as restrictions are lifted we will start planning for the 2022 event."

He added: "We wouldn't forgive ourselves if we added to the spread of the virus."

The outbreak of Covid-19 has hindered the committees usual planning of the event.

Callum said: "We haven't been able to have any meetings since last year, due to the virus. Usually, going into March we would normally have had plenty of things in place. We are six months behind with planning.

"We have tried with Zoom, meetings, but with about 20 on the committee, Zoom meetings are just not possible."

This is only the second time since 1267, that Callum is aware of, that the fair has not taken place. He said that it was also cancelled during the second World War.

The fair is one of the oldest in the world, achieving formal status in 1267 when King Henry III signed a charter granting an annual fair. It includes Friday evening entertainment, with Dancing In The Street, the Apple Cart event on Main Street and traditional games, rides and displays on the sports field.