AN adult festival hosted every year in Worcestershire will not go ahead this weekend due to the coronavirus crisis.

The Aurora Lifestyle Festival, previously known as Swingfields, has been cancelled after being hosted near the Three Counties Showground in Malvern for the last two years.

The festival, described as “the only UK festival for LGBTQI+ communities and adult lifestylers” was due to be held in a “secret location” in the county this weekend, but organisers said on social media: “It is with great regret that we have made the decision to cancel Aurora Festival 2020. This is a decision that has been discussed and agreed by the Aurora committee, after a lot of thought and deliberation, looking at the practicalities and considering the safeguarding of all our wonderful customers.

"The impact of Covid-19 has already affected ticket sales. There is also the potential for vendors and suppliers to withdraw at any time, due to illness or self-isolation, leaving us with a space to fill at short notice or more likely, not at all."

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"We pride ourselves on providing the best, independent, lifestyle festival in the UK, giving our customers an experience to remember.

"We are not prepared to offer you all, an experience that is a poor replica that does not reflect the true essence and standards of Aurora.

"We will use this time to look after ourselves and each other and see where this virus takes us.

"Hopefully 2021 will, be the year to return bigger and fresher and virus free.

"We apologise to all our customers, for any inconvenience this will cause but we do have your health and safety at heart.

"Ticket holders may request a refund or a transfer of their ticket to next year’s festival.

"We will miss you all, so please stay safe and look after each other.

"See you all in 2021."

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Last year, the festival's organisers hit out at a number of media outlets who described it as a "sex festival".

At the time, a spokesman said: "It is a private event, on private land - you would have to trespass to see anything.

"As for the sexual activity, you will have seen more at other festivals. This is the first time we have come back to the same location, as residents were so welcoming last year.

"We have liaised with local bodies, police, and spoken with residents. There is nothing illegal, there are no drug issues. No one has raised concerns to us.

"In fact, people have said how well run it is. It is just nimbyism from some. This outdated and nasty view is not in keeping with a tolerant society.

"People who come here are doctors, teachers - they are human beings and are just being open and honest. They are being made out to be aliens, from the planet swing."