Chinese New Year event cancelled as high winds loom

Organiser Amy Zhang, with her husband Tie Chen

A Warwickshire town's first Chinese New Year celebrations planned for this weekend have been cancelled due to the forecast of high winds and rain.

The event was due to take place in Rugby town centre between 11:00 GMT and 16:00 on Sunday.

Organisers said they were "bitterly disappointed" but that their priority was the safety of visitors and staff.

"We appreciate this is disappointing news all round, as so much time and planning has gone into this event and so many people were looking forward to it," said Linda Lownes from Rugby First, the town's Business Improvement District.

Organiser Amy Zhang said the event was being held as the number of Chinese families in the areas, attracted by local schools, was growing.

Plans for the day included a procession of dancing lions, dragons, lanterns and drums.

Ms Lownes said the groups involved in staging the event would now focus on organising next year's event instead.

"I am truly devastated that I am having to cancel this event," she added.

The commitment shown by those supporting them this year had been "second to none" she said, promising they would return "bigger and better" in 2026.

They had been expecting thousands of people to attend, but in the end decided it would be too risky to proceed.