The organisers of Glastonbury have confirmed that this year's 50th anniversary edition of the festival has been cancelled due to coronavirus.

The annual music event was due to take place in June with headline performances from the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Diana Ross and Dua Lipa.

Following government advice that all mass gatherings should be avoided in an effort to spread the progress of the deadly disease, Glastonbury organisers Michael and Emily Eavis decided that they had no choice but to axe this year's festival.

Everyone who had secured a ticket for the festival will be guaranteed a ticket for the next festival in 2021 or, should they be unable to attend, will be able to claim a full refund of their deposit.

"We very much hope that the situation in the UK will have improved enormously by the end of June," said a statement. "But even if it has, we are no longer able to spend the next three months with thousands of crew here on the farm, helping us with the enormous job of building the infrastructure and attractions.

"We were so looking forward to welcoming you all for our 50th anniversary with a line-up full of fantastic artists and performers that we were incredibly proud to have booked. We look forward to welcoming you back to these fields next year and until then, we send our love and support to all of you."

Coachella, SXSW and Radio 1 Big Weekend have also been called off in recent days, while there are now serious doubts over BST Hyde Park, Lovebox and the Eurovision Song Contest.