Southend Carnival has been cancelled for a second year in a row due to the pandemic. 

Organisers of the popular seaside event said they were unable to go ahead with this year's event due to the uncertainty surrounding Covid rules. 

The road map out of lockdown has suggested large events may be able to take place from June, but ministers have warned the easing of restrictions will be based on 'data, not dates'. 

Carnival bosses say the uncertainty means they had little choice but to cancel this year's event. 

In a statement, organisers said: "Whilst we hoped to bring the carnival back to our glorious seafront this year is with great regret that we have had to make the decision to announce that Southend Carnival will not take place this year.

"We take our responsibility for crowd and entrant safety and for the wellbeing of all those involved very seriously and our highest priority.

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"Although the roadmap indicates that events maybe able to take place after June 21, it would be a risk to invest the money and time into planning something which could change.

"We hope to be back again in 2022 with a bigger and even better Carnival for Southend.

"Thank you for your continued support and understanding."