Organisers of huge annual Hartlepool funfair confirm cancellation due to virus

Dozens of rides and stands by Murphy’s Funfairs attract thousands of visitors when they set up every year on the Town Moor as part of Hartlepool Carnival.

It is the second largest funfair in the whole North East.

But due to the ongoing need for social distancing the organisers have confirmed they will not be coming to town this summer.

John Murphy said: “Due to the scale of the fair we just felt, and the council also, with it being close to a residential area we didn’t think it would be correct to hold it with what’s going on at present.

"It’s a real disappointment because it’s a tradition and the people of the Headland look forward to it each year, but safety comes first.”

It comes after Hartlepool carnival cancelled for first time since the war.

The carnival is the latest in a long line of local public events that have fallen victim to the coronavirus outbreak.

Greatham Feast was forced to rule out its traditional parade and fete day plus other community events.

Instead, residents were asked to decorate their homes and wear fancy dress and share photos of themselves.

All major fundraising events of Alice House Hospice have been postponed including its Purple Week, Memory Stroll, Family Fun Day and Colour Run.

The Great North Run has also been postponed and will now celebrate it’s landmark 40th staging next year.

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