Pictured: Haworth is all quiet on what would have been the annual 1940s Weekend

Tens of thousands of visitors from all over the country traditionally flock to the picture-postcard village in north Bradford over the annual weekend.

But this year - for the first time ever in its history - organisers were forced to cancel the event but have been quick to re-diary it for next May 15-16.

Coun Rebecca Poulson (Cons, Worth Valley) said: “It’s a massive loss to the area. It’s the biggest event we have in the year in the village.

“Sadly this would have been the 25th anniversary year of the event. People have been sharing lots of photos from previous years to try and keep reminding people how wonderful it is as an event. But it’s really sad.

“The iconic Howarth Main Street if you go and walk up it, is very quiet. And this is the peak tourist time we are coming into.

“This will have a massive impact on the community and the village.

“So much work goes into the organisation of events like this - they don’t just come together in a couple of weeks. It’s a year-long process.

“It’s devastating really, but clearly it couldn’t go ahead in the current times.”

Coun Poulson said while Howarth businesses are being resilient during the lockdown - with cafes and pubs doing takeaways or deliveries and shops selling online - the loss of tourists will have a “big impact”.

She added: “The event has also raised lots of money for charities over the years so that will be lost as well.”

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