A POPULAR regatta will not take place this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Organisers have confirmed Burnham Week has been called off.

The event was due to take place from August 29 to September 5.

Organisers had hoped the measures in place earlier in the year would have eased enough to allow the regatta to run as normal as possible.

However, with social gathering restrictions that would affect the spirit of the event still currently in place, they made the decision to put the event on hold until 2021.

Chairman Annie Reid said: “Although everything was in place ready to run the event this year, the committee reached the decision based on government and the Royal Yachting Association’s directives.

“We would like to thank everyone for the patience they have shown in waiting while we looked into the possibilities of running the event, and we now need to focus ahead and plan that great regatta Burnham Week 2021.”

Even spokesman Edwin Buckley added: “Although we were determined to hold off with the decision as long as possible, we were always concerned about how we could run the event as normal yet as safe as possible.

“Anyone who has ever attended Burnham Week will know it is all about social interaction.

“As well as the racing, Burnham Week is renowned for its fun party atmosphere, with functions such as cocktail parties, class dinners, dances and prizes running at all three Burnham sailing clubs.

“It is no great surprise therefore that with guidelines still in place it would be impossible to regulate, particularly in close-quarter crewing situations while racing.”

Organisers are now busy planning for next year’s regatta, with the Royal Corinthian, Royal Burnham and Burnham sailing clubs.