ROMSEY'S annual music festival will be heading online this summer after the live event was cancelled earlier this year, it has been confirmed.

Beggars Fair was called off in February for the second time in two years, because the committee was unsure about what coronavirus restrictions would be in place in July.

There was also uncertainty around how far the vaccine rollout would have progressed by the summer.

But now event bosses have revealed the annual music festival will be hosted online on Saturday, July 10.

The decision will be music to fans' ears, who will get to watch performers' music videos set to be released at a virtual Beggars Fair Showcase.

Some of the acts festival-goers will be able to enjoy include Cinnamon Jazz, The Soul Catchers, Mary Jane and Sarah Saville and many more.

Hampshire Chronicle: Residents enjoying Beggars Fair, pictures by Paul Meseg

Beggars Fair chairman, Delsia Bartlett, said she was "immensely grateful" to the acts for supporting the virtual event.

She said: "We’re immensely grateful to these acts for supporting our showcase so that people can at least get a flavour of Beggars Fair music.

"There will be rock, jazz, folk and acoustic music – something for every taste, in fact, just like a normal Beggars Fair."

She added the committee is excited to plan the event's live return in 2022 when life could return to normal.

Ms Bartlett explained: "We can’t wait to start planning our live return in 2022 when people will be able to see musicians, dancers, storytellers and the like back on the streets of Romsey."

Performances will be released free of charge on July 10 via the Beggars Fair YouTube channel and will remain available after the event.

Other regular performers at the Beggars Fair will have video and audio recordings available through their own websites.

The Beggars Fair Showcase will form part of this year’s Romsey Festival - set to take place from July 3 to 18.

Beggars Fair acts will also support the Romsey Show on September 11.

Links to the social media channels can be found on www.beggarsfair.org.uk.