The National Cerdd Dant Festival in Llanfyllin will not go ahead this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Organisers of Gŵyl Cerdd Dant Bro Nansi said “any other decision would have been completely irresponsible”.

The festival was due to be held at Theatr Llwyn on November 14.

A unanimous decision to postpone the event was made by the working committee at a recent special virtual meeting.

Llio Penri, chair of the executive, said: “Although disappointing, the executive committee of Cymdeithas Cerdd Dant was unanimous in its decision to postpone the Bro Nansi Cerdd Dant Festival and many other activities of the society.

“Any other decision would have been completely irresponsible.

“This is, of course, regrettable, but I’m pleased to note that prudence, reason and wisdom informed the decision.

“Public health and safety is the priority now.

“There will again be an opportunity to enjoy our culture. In the meantime the possibilities through virtual media are exciting and in operation. ”

Had the festival gone ahead it would have been the first time in 52 years that the event visited Montgomeryshire.

The official name of the festival has been unveiled as Gŵyl Cerdd Dant Bro Nansi 2020, in memory of the famous harpist Nansi Richards of Penybont Fawr, who contributed greatly to both local and national Welsh culture.

Since its establishment in 1947, the festival has only ever visited Montgomeryshire twice, once at Penybont Fawr in 1955 and once at Llanfyllin in 1968.