Decision made on Hastings Pride 2020

The festival and parade were due to take place on Sunday, August 30 - but the spread of coronavirus across the country and the Government lockdown measures have decimated local events.

In a statement released on their social media channels, the Hastings Pride team said the event this year would not be going ahead.

They said: "We are sorry to announce that due to the current situation and our primary funding sources being diverted for Covid-19 aid and support (which we fully support) we will not be in a position to go ahead with Hastings Pride Festival and Parade this year."

But there was some hope. They added. "We will be marking Hastings Pride week and weekend in some way but exactly what that will look like is impossible to say at present with the ever-evolving Covid-19 situation and our need to consider the health and safety of everyone."

The organisers said they would be looking at holding some fundraising events, depending on how the easing of lockdown measures unfolded.