EVENTS in the coming weeks and months have been cancelled across the county amid coronavirus concerns.

As the UK government prepares to ask people who show “even minor” signs of respiratory tract infections or a fever to self-isolate in an effort to tackle the outbreak, event organisers have chosen not to heighten any possible risk of exposure.

A prize-giving event for a Winchester art competition has been postponed.

Scores of pupils from twelve local primary schools were due to be represented at The Pilgrims’ School in Winchester on yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.

There had been more than 300 entries in the competition run by the Cameron Bespolka Trust, a charity set up in memory of the Winchester College boy who died in 2013.

His mother and charity founder Corinne said: “The school has decided to postpone because of coronavirus. Any big group gathering is undesirable. Pilgrims’ felt any gathering over 25 to be too much risk. It is better for everyone to be cautious.”

And Sparsholt WI have cancelled its annual jumble sale on Saturday, saying: “We think it is the right thing to do at this time.”

But Winchester Beer and Cider Festival is defiant and has announced it will be going ahead on Saturday and Sunday at the Guildhall

A post on the event’s Twitter page said: “Just to confirm the festival is still going ahead this weekend. We’re following CAMRA and government guidelines on this and will update you all if anything changes.”

Yesterday the number of coronavirus cases in the UK rose to 456 - rising by 83 - the biggest increase in a single day.

In the latest update by the Department of Health at 2pm on Wednesday, a total of 27,476 have been tested.