A major torchlight and puppet procession due to take place in Grantham this week has been cancelled.

The event on Friday, to mark the 1,300th Anniversary of the death of St Wulfram, was also to see Grantham's magnificent St Wulfram's Church glowing in the French red, white and blue tricolour and also host the Saint's skull for several months.

Church rector Father Stuart Cradduck posted on the St Wulfram's website yesterday, which said: "It is with great sadness that both the Abbot of St Wandrille and Fr Stuart have taken the difficult decision to postpone the Wulfram Celebrations this Friday (20th March).

"This decision has not been taken lightly but done with what we hope are the best intentions.

"Although the border to France is still open, the Abbey of St Wandrille is in lock down, the situation here is changing daily and the situation in France is very serious.

"The generous act of trust in bringing the last relic of Wulfram to Grantham, from the Abbot and community of St Wandrille, is a remarkable and unique testament to the shared faith we have. Within this we are agreed in our belief that we need to play our part in reducing any possible risk to human health.

"The communities of St Wandrille and St Wulfram's are united in a shared history around Wulfram, and the faith he shared. We hold in prayer all those affected by the Coronavirus, and the medical personnel who will have the heavy load of ministering to those in need."

The decision was announced before Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a range of announcements toughening-up the government's response to Coronavirus.

Further information on Coronavirus, compiled by Nub news using official NHS and government sources can be found here.