Organisers of the Kent Big Weekend free ticket giveaway have confirmed tickets secured for this year's event will be valid for another date if the coronavirus outbreak causes problems.

The annual event sees thousands of free tickets given to residents of the county to explore popular local attractions.

But with the highly popular event due to fall on the weekend of April 4-5, organisers Visit Kent has confirmed all participating attractions will allow entry on a different day if restrictions are in place.

Deirdre Wells, chief executive of Visit Kent, said: "What we have said is all of our partners, who are offering tickets, is that if you can't use them that weekend, you will be able to use them on a different weekend.

"That's how we can continue to support businesses. Showing that even if you can't come now, you will come at a different time and that's reassuring for businesses and hopefully gives something for people to look forward to."

Tourism is likely to be among the sectors hardest hit by the outbreak. It currently generates around £3.8bn to the local economy and supports some 70,000 jobs.

But amid fears many attractions may face a struggle to survive over the coming weeks and months, the tourism sector is calling on the government for assistance.

She said: "We are now calling on the government to produce some guidance specifically for the tourist industry so we can give some advice to our businesses about how best to handle the next few difficult weeks.

"The government absolutely understands it is needed and what we've also asked for is for it to be quite detailed because one of the concerns we have is if people are confused about what they can and can't do, then there's a worry they'll do nothing or, worse, put themselves in danger.

"We need to know before a more serious lockdown situation.

"One of the concerns is supporting businesses with their cashflow and helping them through the next few weeks and months.

"Given it's likely to be a bit longer terms than we would all like, then they need to keep open when they can - and to encourage footfall when it's safe to do so is really important.

"I think the bigger worry is that we're in peak booking season and that's worrying because if people just aren't booking at all, it gives businesses more insecurity about whether these bookings will arrive later in the year. That is concerning.

"Certainly Easter is very important for starting the season, but we had a terrible Easter a couple of years ago with the Beast from the East, and then had a wonderful summer.

"If it is contained to the spring, then it's slightly less bad than if it was in the middle of the summer."

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