The ongoing threat of coronavirus is disrupting communities in Dorset and leading to a number of events and activities being cancelled or postponed.

It comes as it is warned many more people will be affected by the virus, while elderly people will be asked to self-isolate in the coming weeks. Mass gatherings could be banned.

Nationally a number of high profile events and sporting fixtures are off.

The plug is being pulled on many community events and gatherings in Dorset too.

The postponement or continuation of lower football league games has been left to individual leagues to decide – Weymouth's game went ahead at the weekend with a bigger crowd than usual. Dorchester Town’s game at the weekend and a match this Saturday are off as their league has been 'paused'. Bridport FC's league is also suspended. Chickerell United Football Club has cancelled all foreseeable future fixtures (senior games). The Wessex League which affects Portland United is meeting tonight to decide whether to suspend fixtures.

Local elections in England scheduled for this May have been postponed due to the coronavirus - in Dorset this means the election for the next Police and Crime Commissioner.

Email newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk or news@bridportnews.co.uk (for West Dorset) to let us know if your event is cancelled or is still going ahead.

These are the events we know about so far that are cancelled:

* Lyme Regis Fossil Festival

* The Melplash Cider Festival has been postponed until September 19

* Bridport Artisan Market on March 21 at the arts centre

* The Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters AGM on April 1

* WATAG meeting on March 26

* West Bay Vintage Rally on June 13 and 14

* Bridport Vintage Market on March 29

* Chesil Rocks music festival at Langton Herring in June

* Cerne Giant Festival in April

* Dorset County Museum Music Society concerts on March 18 and April 15

* Radipole and Southill Horticultural Society Spring Show on Saturday, March 21

* Char Valley Climate and Environment Crisis event on March 21

* Cantamus concert at Bradpole Holy Trinity Church on March 28

* Bridport Fashion Revolution's 'Mending Our Ways' on March 26 has been postponed. Details to be released soon

* Bridport Gardening Club's spring show on March 28. However, the five-line stanza on 'Our Planet' and the knitted teddy bear challenge will continue

*The Friends of Lyme Regis Museum's talk on April 2, but the AGM on the same day will go ahead

* St Catherine's Catholic Primary School, Bridport, bingo on March 27 

* The Julie Dunn Electric Storm Band will no longer play at Beaminster Public Hall on Saturday, March 28

* Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society has cancelled its March and April talks and trips

* The Lyme Regis, Charmouth and Uplyme Memory Cafe has been suspended until further notice

* The Chesil Sailing Trust’s event to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Magellan’s Circumnavigation, due to be held at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy on Friday, March 20. May be held in autumn. For ticket refunds call 01305 866000

* Wyke Regis WI spring fayre on Thursday, March 19 and a coffee morning event on Tuesday, April 7

* Broadwey and Upwey Horticultural Spring Show due to be held on Saturday, March 21

* The West Dorset Alcohol Anonymous and Al Anon Convention in Dorchester on Saturday, March 28, postponed until Saturday, May 30

* Weymouth and Portland 'Walking for Health' group suspended its activities until further notice

* RSPB Radipole Lake has postponed its forthcoming 'Wellbeing Walk'

* Poundbury Rotary Club's Race Night planned for March 20 and the Bike Bayeux event in May

* The Friends of Castle Cove Beach has cancelled an event on the beach planned for April 11

* Dorchester Camera Club has cancelled all indoor meetings until April 20. The club will continue with some outdoor events and will use video conferencing, interactive websites and social media to keep members involved

* Bridport Deaf Club Easter event on Saturday, April 4 at Bridport Day Centre

* Butterflies Cancer Support Group of Dorchester will continue to run its meetings for those without symptoms, and has set up a 'buddy service' offering support via phone for members who are self-isolating

* Dorset County Museum Music Society concert on April 15

* Bourne2Sing choir's concerts scheduled for March, April, May and June

* Lyme Regis, Poole and Swanage lifeboat stations are closed to the public

* Poole Harbour Boat Show due to be held in June

* Bredy Vets 35th anniversary open day on April 25

* Furleigh Estate Asparagus and Bacchus event

* Sir Oliver Letwin 'Apocalypse Now' talk at Bridport Arts Centre on April 4

* Easter bingo at Litton and Thorners Community Hall on March 27 is hoped to be rescheduled for June 26