The Macclesfield Pride event has been cancelled this year in what was seen as an inevitable decision by the organising committee following the publishment of government guidelines.

Organisers announced the decision on the Macclesfield Pride Facebook page on Monday.

The post said: "The Macclesfield Pride Committee has sadly had to make the difficult, but not surprising, decision to cancel the MaccPride event planned for July this year, in line with reliable advice and the proposed government time scale of the safe lifting of restrictions."

The event was set to take place on 11th July, but government guidance published yesterday on the easing of the lockdown over the coming weeks and months means that the event could not go ahead.

The committee have announced that Macclesfield Pride 2021 will be held on Saturday 10th July.

The organisers added: "We know that we can rely on the people, community groups and businesses of our town to support us as we plan far ahead for a bumper event next year, when we can look forward to a happy, safe celebration of what will surely be hard won freedom."

The first pride event in Macclesfield took place in July 2018 in Market Square and other partner venues, and proved to be popular with people in the town and wider area.

You can follow the Macclesfield Pride Facebook page for updates.