Gloucestershire County Council has used powers available under Covid-19 regulations to stop next week's Stow Horse Fair from going ahead.

The traditional travellers gathering, which attracts hundreds of visitors to Stow-on-the Wold twice a year, was due to go ahead on October 22.

Organisers cancelled the scheduled event in May and with the rise in coronavirus cases across the country, the council has stepped in to ensure next week's event does not go ahead.

The council, Cotswold District Council and Gloucestershire police have been working with the county's traveller liaison service to ensure the latest coronavirus legislation was applied for the event.

But earlier this week, the county council and police served the landowner with a "notice of concern" which gave 48 hours to address ongoing issues but that time has run out.

Director of public health for Gloucestershire Sarah Scott said: "We are working hard to tackle Covid-19 and the does mean some difficult decisions.

"I know how important this event is to the traveller community - I can assure them this decision has not been taken lightly.

"With Covid infection rates rising locally and nationally it is the right decision to protect both families attending the event and the wider community."

She continued: "I know colleagues have spoken to members of the traveller community and their response to the concerns we have raised has been really welcomed. They are disappointed but completely understanding of the need to act in the public interest."