STAGE shows commemorating the 75th anniversary of VE Day have been called off in Haworth and Sutton.

Haworth West Lane Baptist Amateurs and Sutton’s Green Hut Theatre Company this week reluctantly called off their spring concerts.

The coronavirus crisis has been cited as the reason by the volunteer committees that run both organisations.

The Haworth group, which every November stages a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, was dedicating its Spring Concert to the 75th anniversary of the day the war ended in Europe.

Members had asked local people to recall experiences of the Second World War so they could highlight memories and artefacts during the show.

Amateurs spokesman Ian Dobson said: “We regret to advise that we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the VE Day concert scheduled for May 1 and 2.

“Given the age of significant numbers of our members and audience, rehearsals and performances would have been difficult to manage.

“We fully expect to be back to perform Ruddigore in November - rehearsals are scheduled to start in May, Covid-19 permitting!”

The Green Hut Theatre Company was preparing a concert featuring 1940 songs, comedy sketches by adult members and short plays by its junior section.

After Monday’s announcement by Boris Johnson that people should avoid gatherings, the group felt it had no choice but to call off the show.

The Green Hut group currently has plans for a stage production at Sutton Village Hall in September and its annual pantomime, Aladdin, in December.