THE Island Steam Show has been cancelled, organisers have announced.

The annual four-day event had been scheduled to take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, but plans have been scuppered this year due to coronavirus.

"With regret, we have decided to cancel this year's show," said a spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

"Our annual Steam Show is usually one of the highlights of our year.

"We would expect to welcome up to 10,000 visitors, volunteers and exhibitors who come to see an impressive collection of historic vehicles, traction engines, live entertainment and music, a fairground, plus steam trains running along the line.

"We tried hard to find a way of making this year's event happen, leaving the decision as late as possible to see if the situation improved.

"We had hoped that a scaled-back show might be possible, however, even this presented significant extra challenges.

"Ultimately, we felt we couldn't operate the event in a socially distanced way which would keep our visitors and volunteers safe.

"We recognise that cancelling this year's event will be very disappointing to our many visitors who have supported the Steam Show over the last 45 years.

"Please be assured that our Steam Show will return in 2021.

"This is significant year for the railway, when we will celebrate our 50th anniversary.

"We look forward to welcoming our exhibitors and visitors back for our 46th show next year."