A popular family Christmas attraction has been cancelled amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding Covid-19 and social distancing.

The White Cliffs Christmas experience in Dover features an ice rink, food stalls, music and markets throughout December, providing the perfect afternoon out for excited families.

But following discussions by organisers The Port of Dover, it has been decided that in 2020 it cannot be safely hosted.

Chiefs say the decision have been made "reluctantly" and following "a number of discussions" with consideration given to health and safety, local community, port community, stallholders, entertainers and visitors.

Barbara Buczek, chief commercial officer, Port of Dover said: "Each year the White Cliffs Christmas gets bigger and better with increased visitors to our historic Cruise Terminal which is transformed into a festive winter wonderland.

"Following the social distancing guidance and national and local government recommendations against large gatherings we are left with the hard decision to regrettably cancel the 2020 event.

"One of the main features at the White Cliffs Christmas is our popular undercover ice-rink, which attracted over 12,000 skaters last year. This activity itself brings added concerns around social distancing.

"We look forward to welcoming many more people in the future when we are past the current situation.

"We are grateful to everyone who has helped make it such a popular event over the last few years, but for now we must continue to uphold our social responsibility to support the nation’s focus on tackling the ongoing spread of COVID-19 whilst also ensuring our core port operations can continue to bring in the food, medicine and other essential resources our country needs.”

White Cliffs Christmas was due to take place from Sunday, November 29 until Sunday, January 3.

Dover and neighbouring towns of Deal and Sandwich are yet to announce whether they will be running their annual switch-on events.

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