A PLANNED launch of a collection of poetry this weekend (December 18) in Settle has been cancelled because of fears over the spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

A spokesperson for Settle Sessions Poetry said: "We regret that, because of the covid threat it has decided to cancel Saturday's 'Poetry and Mince Pies' event at Friends Meeting House. It is hoped it will be possible to launch Phoebe Caldwell's pamphlet in the New Year.

Meanwhile, copies are available from Limestone Books in the Market Place."