A popular annual road race meeting held in one of Wirral's most picturesque villages has been cancelled for the second year running, due to coronavirus restrictions.

The Port Sunlight 10k/5k 2021 meeting was due to take place on Sunday, June 13, but organisers have chosen to cancel the event amid existing fears about social-distancing.

Hoylake-based BTR Liverpool had been optimistic about staging the event this year, particularly with Wirral's progress in reducing infection rates, but in line with the government's ongoing road map plans, have recognised that the popularity of the event could still pose a health risk to participants, spectators and residents of the village.

Katherine Lynch, Director of Heritage from Port Sunlight Village Trust, said: “Whilst we appreciate that this is disappointing news, we have a duty of care to the residents, volunteers, stewards, runners and their supporters, which we take very seriously.

"Port Sunlight Road Race is the perfect way to showcase this historic village and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2022 and experiencing that wonderful atmosphere you always get on race day – we’ve missed it!”

All entries from the 2020 race and anyone who has entered the 2021 event will be held over to 2022. The proposed date for the 2022 race will be Sunday, June 12.

Registered runners who would prefer to transfer to either the Mersey Tunnel 10K (Sunday, September 26) or the Wirral 10K (Sunday, October 31) rather than defer to the 2022 Port Sunlight event can do so by emailing alan@btrliverpool.com by 5.00pm on Friday, April 30.