THIS year's Great Yorkshire Show has been cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis.

In a statement today (March 23), Nigel Pulling, chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said: "Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, we have taken the sad but sensible decision to cancel the Great Yorkshire Show this year.

"As this national crisis escalates day by day, we feel we cannot safely run the show in 2020. We are extremely sorry to have to announce this news and appreciate that this will disappoint everyone who loves the show as much as we do.

"We will continue to passionately support our farmers in whatever way we can, as they work hard producing our food.

"We would like to thank everyone for supporting the Great Yorkshire Show and our goal is to return bigger and better next year.

"We hope you and your families stay safe and well through these difficult times."

Country Land and Business Association (CLA) North Director Dorothy Fairburn said: “The Great Yorkshire Show is a flagship event which the CLA has been part of for many years and to hear that it won’t go ahead this year was extremely sad to hear, but not totally surprising given the current national situation with coronavirus.

“Many rural businesses rely on the Great Yorkshire Show as an opportunity to showcase their livestock, demonstrate their fantastic products and services to thousands of people in the region and to not have that opportunity this year is going to be great shame for many.

“The CLA is supporting its members, who are a range of farmers, landowners and rural businesses, through this difficult time with latest advice and information regarding coronavirus.

"We are also holding regular calls with Government officials and lobbying on issues the industry needs to be reviewed to support them through these uncertain times.

“The rural sector is exceptionally resilient, however, having faced more than its share of adversity in the past. I have every confidence the Great Yorkshire Show will bounce back next year and we can’t wait to be part of it once again.”