Future of Hay Festival 'in jeopardy' as it is cancelled due to coronavirus

The annual Hay Festival has been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The 10-day literature festival, which takes place in the village of Hay-on-Wye in Powys, was due to start on Thursday, 21 May.

Organisers say refunds for all tickets are available, but warns the future of the not-for-profit festival has been placed in jeopardy.

Peter Florence, director, said: “We regret deeply that our annual gathering of readers and writers and friends won’t take place in May, as it has for 33 years.

"As we face these coming weeks of uncertainty and isolation we will work hard to carry forward our spirit of togetherness, and to share stories and ideas.

“As an organisation we now face a stark reality. We have ten days to raise the funds we need to support us in the coming months and secure Hay Festival 2021 and a time when we can again celebrate together and tell stories of these times."

The festival organisers have now started a crowdfunding campaign which they say is to ensure the festival's immediate future.

Glastonbury Festival was postponed until 2021 earlier this week

It comes just days after Glastonbury Festival announced it would be postponed until 2021.

A post on Twitter announced the news, saying: "We are so sorry to announce this, but we are going to have to cancel Glastonbury 2020. Tickets for this year will roll over to next year. Full statement below and on our website. Michael & Emily."

The number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK has risen to 132, including two people who have died in Wales.

As of Wednesday, at least 2,626 people in the UK have contracted the virus despite increasingly strict measures to limit the spread.

Coronavirus: Everything you need to know