Badminton Horse Trials has been cancelled.

It was due to be held behind closed doors between May 5 and 9.

The cancellation also includes British eventing classes - the BE90 and BE100 Championships.

The premier event attracts many thousands of visitors, spectators and the best horses and riders in the World.

Badminton, Public Health England and South Gloucestershire Council say that due to the scale and location of the Horse Trials it is not possible to secure the surrounding area in the proximity of the event site.

In a statement, organisers said the health and safety of all those involved in the event and the local community remains Badminton’s priority and the level of operational and public health risk posed by the Horse Trials was agreed by all concerned to be unacceptable.

“The announcement of last October to run behind closed doors was with the optimism that it would be possible, so the decision that we are not in a position to continue to plan to run the event at the beginning of May has not been taken without significant thought and consideration,” said Badminton director Jane Tuckwell.

“I am sorry that the 2021 event has become unworkable despite our best efforts, but I am so grateful to all those that have offered support and encouragement over the past few months.”

Commenting on the cancellation The Duke of Beaufort, on whose estate the trails are run said: “Everyone at Badminton is desperately disappointed to have to cancel for the second year in a row as it is so much a feature of the year here, but I am confident that the 2022 event will be very much part of the spirit of optimism we will all once again be feeling by then.”

It is hoped the event will be back again in 2022.