A POPULAR festival that has attracted hundreds of thousands of people to Richmond over nearly two decades has been cancelled this year.

Richmond Live, a two-day music and entertainment event, has taken place in the town for the last 18-years but today organisers have announced that they are taking a ‘well-earned break’ this year.

This is despite a date in August having been previously confirmed, and administrators of the event’s facebook page reassuring people last month that the event was ‘definitely’ happening this year.

Festival-goers reacted to the cancellation with sadness and disappointment on social media, with some saying that they had already paid deposits for accommodation booked for the weekend of August 4 when the event was expected to take place.

The cancellation was announced on the event's website with the statement: "After almost two decades of hard work and dedication, the organisers and volunteers of Richmond Live have decided to take a well earned break.

"The 2017 event will therefore not be taking place and we will keep you informed of any future developments."

One of the main oganisers Jon Naylor said he was unable to give further details behind the event's cancellation.

He told The Northern Echo: "Unfortunately it is due to circumstances beyond our control.

"We have all done it for a lot of years for no financial gain at all.

"Unfortunately that is all we can say for the moment."

Mr Naylor said that if the festival was set to return next year an annoucement would be made in due course.

The volunteer-run Richmond Live had been going from strength to strength before the 2017 cancellation.

Normally held over two days in late July or early August by the River Swale, last year’s festival expanded to offer an extra day of family fun and entertainment.

Escapologist Chris Cross wowed the crowds with a daring straight-jacket stunt and previous performers have included the Bootleg Beatles and From the Jam as well as countless local artists.