ALRESFORD Watercress Festival has been cancelled for the second year running.

The popular event usually attracts more than 10,000 people to the market town every May to celebrate the famous local crop.

But today the organisers have issued a statement saying that even though restrictions are easing it would be impossible to stage the event which takes over the the main roads of the town including Broad Street, West Street and East Street.

Today they said: "As many readers will already be aware it was with a very heavy heart that the Alresford Watercress Festival committee took the decision to cancel the 2021 festival.

"At the time of our announcement there was no guidance in place and the committee felt that with the anticipated continued restrictions the delivery of a festival would be impossible, even with restricted numbers and a potential new location. The recent “Roadmap” announcement would have still halted the event so, whilst extremely disappointed, we know it's the right decision."

The "Watercress Week" will take place online May 17-23 at www.watercressfestival.org and will include live cookery demonstrations, recipes, links to traders' sites and interviews with specialists including Dr Kyle Stewart.

Full details and the schedule of events will all be announced via the website and social media over the coming weeks.

The statement ended: "In the meantime we look forward to seeing you in the streets of Alresford on 15th May 2022."