The Heather Scarecrow Festival has had to be called off yet again due to the pandemic.

While the Government plan is for most Covid restrictions to be lifted by June 21, the festival organisers feel the risk is too great to organise something for the following month.

The Scarecrow Festival is a popular annual event that attracts visitors from North West Leicestershire and beyond - raising thousands of pounds.

It was postponed last year and it is felt it cannot go ahead in 2021 either with its return now planned for 2022.

A message on the festival's Facebook page reads: "We've been holding off making any comments about this year's Scarecrow Festival, but the committee have been in discussions this week and we've taken the hard decision (again) to postpone the Festival until 2022.

"While we appreciate the Government's road map for lifting most restrictions is 21st June, there are so many variables which could extend this.

"Our priority remains to keep our community safe and we feel July will be too soon to confidently do this.

"It also costs to hold the event, which could be wasted scarecrow money should we be forced cancel.

"Postponing for another year will clearly impact on local businesses and on groups who benefit from the thousands of pounds raised each year.

"We would encourage residents and visitors to our annual festival to show support where they possibly can by visiting The Queen's Head At Heather, The Crown Inn Heather, Cattows Farm, the village shop, and supporting Heather St. John's FC, Heather Primary PTA , Heather Pre-school, Ibstock and Heather Church Communities, Creativi-tea and Ibstock Historical Society in their fundraising events.

"We hope to be back in July 2022 and we ask all residents to please support our event to make sure we come back bigger and better!"