THIS YEAR'S Saltaire Festival is to be held online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement organisers say that it would prove impossible to recruit volunteers to deliver its usual range of events even if restrictions ended soon.

Instead they are working on some events that will allow the community to celebrate Saltaire within the expected restrictions.

The Festival, whose purpose is to advance the arts and education particularly in the culture and heritage of Saltaire, has been running for 17 years and last year attracted over 35,000 visitors to the ten-day event.

The chairperson of the Festival Board, Ian Andrews-Swailes said: "The Festival Team was looking forward to presenting a great programme of activities in September 2020 – but even if coronavirus restrictions are relaxed /lifted we are currently unable to recruit volunteers, partners etc to start to create the bigger team needed to plan and deliver our usual range of engaging and exciting activities.

"However, the Festival Team is looking at ways to bring elements of the festival online and to perhaps, restrictions permitting, offer some limited activities to celebrate the birthday of Titus Salt on September 20, 2020. We will keep the public informed of the activities we can offer this year on the Saltaire Festival Facebook page."

"The Festival Team would like to thank volunteers, businesses, partner organisations and visitors who have made the Festival a success in the past. We look forward to working with you and welcoming you back to a full Festival programme in 2021."