A much-loved food festival that was 'cancelled' earlier this week due to the coronavirus pandemic, could now go ahead, according to councillors.

On Monday, chairman of Ribble Valley Borough Council’s community services committee, Ricky Newmark said it was with 'great reluctance' that they had decided not to go ahead with this year’s Clitheroe Food Festival due to the 'challenge of holding it safely'.

The annual Clitheroe Food Festival showcases the best produce Lancashire has to offer and usually brings thousands from all over the country to the town.

However, on Friday, Cllr Kevin Horkin, councillor for West Bradford and Grindleton, told the Lancashire Telegraph that the food festival 'would be going ahead' in September, albeit in a 'scaled-down' manner.

Cllr Horkin said: "I was very disappointed when I read about the Clitheroe Food Festival being cancelled because really, we need it in order to help rebuild the local economy.

"The festival was never cancelled though, it was just never planned because of the uncertainty around the pandemic and lifting of restrictions.

"I spoke with the leader of the council, the leader of the community service committee and the chair of the economic regeneration committee, and it's been tentatively agreed that if the voluntary sector can come together in the coming weeks we will be holding a scaled-back version of the food festival some time in September."

Cllr Horkin said if the plans go ahead and they can organise for the relevant restrictions to be put in place then the festival will be held on Clitheroe market car park as well as the adjacent street.

He added: "It will be a scaled-back version but will still represent all the best produce that the festival normally offers.

"The Whalley and District Lions and the Rotary Club have agreed to get involved and it's looking like with people power and the volunteer sector, we will be able to stage it.

"Moves are now very much afoot to get this organised. We cannot be beat by Covid.

"People are already showing they can be safe. The Royal Lancs Show is still going ahead, and by September we hope to be in a much better place anyway.

"We will be having a meeting next week to get the ball in motion."