THE organisers of an eagerly awaited event in Heaton Park have said they have been forced to cancel over fears of the Indian strain of Covid-18 in nearby Bolton.

Geronimo festival, which is aimed at children and families, was due to take place on June 26 and 27, and was set to be one of the first large-scale events to take place in the park ahead of Parklife and a hometown gig by New Order in September.

In a statement, the organisers, said: "We have been closely following the roadmap to normality and while there is general optimism, we feel it still leaves a great deal of uncertainty for Geronimo Heaton Park.

"Our production team need to start the festival build in two weeks time and with no clear regulations in place at the moment for large scale events over 4,000 people and the prevalence of the Indian strain in Bolton we feel we can no longer or responsibly host the event."