PLANNING is to start in the expectation that both the Ludlow spring and main September Food Festivals will go ahead.

Both events fell victim of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 but the website for the events says that work on the programmes for the coming year will begin soon.

The Spring Food Festival is the traditional curtain raiser for the events calendar in the town and is scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 8 and 9.

It is usually combined with the Marches Transport Festival and is held in Ludlow Castle.

The main three day Food Festival in September can bring 20,000 people into the town.

It is scheduled to take place over the weekend of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 10, 11 and 12.

The event usually has almost 200 exhibitors and brings in chefs from all over the country to provide demonstrations over two main stages.

It is also hoped that the summer Fringe Arts Festival will be back and it is scheduled between June 19 and July 4.

However, the food festivals and the Fringe are subject to the rules that apply regarding the coronavirus.

A problem for organisers is lack of certainty and the risk of having to spend money that cannot be recovered in the event of a late cancellation.

People are being encouraged to make donations to the Food Festival.