ANOTHER event has fallen victim to the coronavirus pandemic with the annual Easter Bonnet Parade in Lyme Regis being cancelled due to the current lockdown restrictions.

The yearly event was due to be held on Easter Sunday, April 4 but organisers are unable to put on the event due to the current circumstances.

The parade, last held in 2019, is a spectacle of residents and visitors showcasing their homemade Easter bonnets in the parade through the town.

A virtual celebration has been organised in place of the parade and the organisers behind the event are encouraging children and adults to make their own Easter bonnets at home and send in photos for a virtual parade.

Alan Vian, secretary of the Easter Bonnet Parade and Lyme Regis Carnival, said: "It is with a great deal of sadness that, because of the on-going pandemic, we have had to cancel the Easter Bonnet Parade. We know that many people will be disappointed as this is a very popular event in the Lyme Regis Calendar.

"However, we are encouraging people to dress up in their most creative, home-crafted Easter bonnets to participate in the ‘Lyme Regis Virtual Easter Bonnet Parade’, which proved to be so successful last year.

"So grab the glue and get creative! Prizes will be awarded for the best entries."

The online showcase is a repeat of last year's revised event, after the festival was again cancelled due to the pandemic.

Participants have until 4pm on Saturday, April 3 to send in their photo entries, either via email to easter@lymeregiscarnival.co.uk or by messaging the Lyme Regis Carnival Facebook page.

Entries should include the name of the person in the photo, where the entrant is from and their name if they are under 18. A photo featuring the entrant wearing the bonnet and a close up of the bonnet is preferable and organisers have also suggested sending in short videos of the entrant parading with their bonnet.

The parade will take place at 3pm on the carnival Facebook page on Sunday, April 4 with a video featuring all the entrants, which will also appear on YouTube.

Find out more at lymeregiscarnival.co.uk and facebook.com/lymeregiscarnival