Pheonix Festival has been cancelled for a second year in a row due to rising Covid cases.

The free, community-led event could cost its hosts thousands of pounds if it does not run smoothly, so they have postponed it to 2022.

Organisers were ‘immensely disappointed’ that the plans for August 28 and 29 could not go ahead.

“We have taken what we feel is the safest and most socially responsible decision,” The Phoenix Festival committee wrote in a statement.

“The committee have not taken this very tough decision lightly and we are deeply saddened not to have a festival in Cirencester for another year.

“As a totally volunteer organisation the risks involved are just too great for us. We have raised such a lot of money and put in so much effort this year that we simply cannot jeopardise those funds and the future of the festival by trying to put a large (free) flagship event on that could fall at the final hurdle with so much uncertainty.”

Pheonix Festival is an annual celebration of music, dance and family fun in Abbey Ground.

It will be rolled over to August 27 and 28, 2022 and the committee will begin the planning process again.

The committee said they would like to thank their sponsors and everyone who donated on Just Giving, assuring them that the money will solely fund next years’ festival.

“All our incredible volunteers are gutted but all agree that it is the correct decision for the future of the festival,” they said.

“Thank you so much for your understanding and we look forward to your continued support.”