Visitors to Hastings are being warned that the weekend’s May Day bank holiday will be quite different to usual.

Hastings Borough Council’s marketing manager Kevin Boorman explained: “Because of continuing Covid restrictions, the very popular Jack in the Green festival of Morris dancing, which normally takes place over the May Day bank holiday weekend, will be a virtual event this year; to follow it, please go to www.hastingsjitg.co.uk . The annual bike event, Bike1066, which normally happens on the May Day bank holiday Monday and sees the town full of thousands and thousands of motorbikes, is cancelled this year.

“So if you only wanted to come to Hastings for bells or bikes this bank holiday weekend, we’re sorry to disappoint you. But Hastings is still a great place to visit, so if you want to explore our historic Old Town, Burton’s St Leonards, town centre shops, fantastic green spaces, enjoy our pier or many other fantastic attractions you’ll be more than welcome.

“This is the first bank holiday since non-essential shops and outdoor attractions and hospitality have been allowed to open, so we’re expecting the town to be very busy indeed. Parking is likely to be in short supply, especially on the seafront, so we’re asking visitors to consider coming by train. If you have to drive, you’re more likely to find space in our town centre car parks, Priory Street and Priory Meadow, which are only 5 minutes’ walk from the seafront.”