The Holi Festival of Colours has been postponed after coronavirus fears. 

The event was due to take place this Sunday, March 8, at Swindon's Hindu Temple from 10.30am to 1.30pm. 

In a post on Facebook, Pradeep Bhardwaj chairman of the temple and cultural centre said: "In light of the worsening coronavirus situation in the country and specially with its spread in areas within a short commute of Swindon, Rang Barse Swindon Holi 2020 celebrations scheduled for Sunday 8th March have been postponed.

"The new date will be announced later after carefully considering various factors and depending on how the situation unfolds in the coming weeks."

The festival has been attended by more than 1,000 people every year for the past few years and this year was planned to be a bigger event with an outdoor stage, bigger professional outdoor sound system, two professional DJs and an online ticketing system.

Pradeep thanked his team of volunteers for the work they have been doing and said postponing was a "difficult decision but we genuinely believe that this is the right decision, taken at the right time in the public interest."

A new date for the festival will be announced soon. 

In the Facebook post, Pradeep also asked for people to show 'sympathy and solidarity' to anyone who has been infected with the virus and added: "Isolate from the virus and the infection, not from the society. 

"Specially in the next few weeks which are going to be critical for the country in fighting this pandemic, I would encourage you all to reach out to your friends and neighbours."