Gloucester City Council is reviewing its festival and events programme including considering socially distanced events or online alternatives.

The council is looking how cultural events can continue in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and its aftermath.

Councillor Steve Morgan, cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: "The cultural life of the city is extremely important and even more so in these challenging times for people's mental health and wellbeing.

"Despite the current challenges we are aiming to deliver a programme of cultural activities although these may be held in alternative and innovative ways which allow for social distancing, such as last year's Of Earth and Sky or online as with the History Festival.

"We are constantly reviewing the situation with regard to the pandemic with our partners and safety will be key to any decisions that are taken."

Gloucester History Festival took place with a programme of online talks and events in September, while the Of Earth and Sky poetry installations by Luke Jerram appeared around the city.

Like the Bright Nights festival - which was launched in December but has been postponed until later in the year - it showed how outdoor events can be staged safely.

Gloucester Museum's latest exhibition Life in Lockdown can also be accessed online along with a series of 40 talks.

Councillor Sebastian Field, the Liberal Democrat culture spokesman, welcomed the council's drive to re-establish cultural events.

He said: "A vibrant cultural life is a key driver of footfall and we will need this to restart our economy once the pandemic has abated."