ORGANISERS of next month’s Ride 2 Stride festival, an annual walking and live music event which takes place along the Settle to Carlisle Railway, and involving people making the most of public transport, has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a joint statement, organisers Diane Taylor and Rosemary Feather, said: “Sadly the decision has been taken to cancel this year’s ride2stride in light of the current crisis.

“We can not continue with a walking and music festival run from public transport which attracts people from all over the country and indeed the world.”

They added: “Thank you to all our ride2stride walker leaders, musicians and speakers for all your support and to all our ride2stride friends who come to join us in our beautiful Yorkshire Dales Stay safe stay well and we shall see you next year. “

The event, had it not been cancelled this year, would have taken from April 28 to May 4.

Next year, the festival will take place from April 27 to May 3.