Irvine’s literary festival team confirmed the inevitable last week.

The Tidelines Book Festival has now been pulled for 2020 – despite the hopes of organisers that they could run a reduced programme.

A spokesperson said: “Recent information from the Scottish Government and from our funders has made it clear that mass gatherings in small enclosed spaces will be problematic for the rest of the year.

“We have a responsibility to our audiences and to our community to keep everyone safe, so have no option but to cancel.

“We’re incredibly sad not to be bringing live literature to North Ayrshire this year.

“We’re now exploring how to bring you at least a taste of that programme in a virtual format - further information on this will follow later.”

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