THIS year's Taunton Carnival has been cancelled due to the pandemic - but organisers are hoping to provide some form of entertainment in the town centre instead.

Taunton and District Carnival Committee secretary John Lewis said the decision to pull the plug on the procession had been taken reluctantly after talking to the various carnival clubs.

The clubs have been unable to stage major fundraising events due to the Covid restrictions and feared they would not have been able to build floats to their usual standard.

Mr Lewis said: "Taunton Carnival Committee has decided, after consultation with the carnival clubs, there will be no annual procession on Saturday, October 16.

"We have not taken this decision lightly, but neither the committee nor the clubs have been able to hold any major fundraising activities for more than a year and the clubs are not able to build to their usual high standards.

"We will look to put on some daytime entertainment instead in the town centre, dependant on any Covid restrictions in place at that time.

"We very much hope we can return with a procession on October 15, 2022, and look forward to seeing everyone then."