Covid-19: Brighton's Paddle Round The Pier event postponed

Paddle Round The Pier (PRTP) was forced to cancel last year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

This year it is still not possible for the event to take place - even with the loosening of restrictions.

The organisers of the event, which sees people paddleboard their way around the West Pier, shared the decision on Facebook.

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In a post, they said: "The trustees have been considering all the options available to them but have made the difficult decision that with the current Covid-19 restrictions, it will not be possible to hold PRTP this July."

After the cancellation of the event last summer, this year's was planned to take place on July 3 and 4 with people gathering on the beach at Kings Road.

There is still hope that a similar event could take place later in the year, if Covid-19 restrictions loosen further in the next few months.

Paddle Round The Pier 2019 Picture: Terry Applin.

The organisers added: "We hope to be able to hold a smaller event late this year and will let you know further details as soon as they are available.

"We are discussing a potential date with Brighton and Hove City Council."

The last time the event was able to take place was in 2019 when people set sail on a series of homemade rafts.

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These rafts included a giant seagull, a tropical island paradise - complete with a mermaid - and a convincing Jaws-themed raft.

There was an estimated 50,000 people on Hove Lawns for the festival to enjoy the weekend of sunshine and swimming.

The current roadmap for restriction loosening is that the final stage of lifting lockdown in England is due to take place on June 21.

However, this could be also be postponed as a decision is expected on June 14.