A MAJOR Borders farming show scheduled for the summer has been cancelled due to coronavirus, organisers have announced.

The Border Union Show – held annually at Springwood Park, Kelso – is described as “a traditional farming show with over 500 open competitions for horses, livestock and industrial arts”.

However, none of those competitions will go ahead this year after organisers announced on Wednesday (February 10) that the show has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ian Fleming, chairman of the Border Union Agricultural Society, said: “After much discussion the Border Union Show directors have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Border Union Show scheduled for Friday 30th and Saturday 31st July.

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“The guidance being given by the local authority indicates that large public gatherings will not be allowed this summer as the country hopefully navigates a successful exit from this terrible pandemic.

“We appreciate that this will come as huge disappointment to many people, but the Border Union Agricultural Society (BUAS) takes its responsibility for the safety of its members, exhibitors, contractors, staff and the general public very seriously, and we believe that this is the only viable option at this time.

“It is also worth noting that it takes several months of planning to put on the show and that we have now reached the point where costs would start to be incurred should we consider a show, so decisive action is required.”

In the same announcement, Mr Fleming said that planning for the ram sales in September will “commence shortly”, with the sale viewed as a “business-critical event by the local authorities”.

He also added that the NHS is “looking to utilise the BEC facility at Springwood Park as a community vaccination centre”, which he described as “excellent news”.