A thriving hospital fete has been cancelled because of the prolonged effects of coronavirus.

The annual fundraising gathering at Deal Hospital was due to take place on Saturday, August 1, but organisers the League of Friends have called it off because of social distancing regulations.

League of Friends chairman Doris Thompson said: "We will hopefully be holding a Christmas fair in December."

The Victoria Memorial Hospital in Deal was officially opened in 1924. It was built as a permanent memorial to those who lost their lives during the first and second world wars.

The League of Friends is a voluntary organisation that raises funds to provide additional services, facilities and equipment for patients and staff.

Funds raised at the fete are donated to Deal Hospital for the purchase of equipment.

Previous donations include a new digital x-ray machine, which was given in January 2019 and dedicated to the memory of former hospital manager Maureen Bane, MBE who was president of the Friends since 2003.

Readers are able to donate by clicking here or send a donation payable to Friends of Hospital Association - Deal either to the hospital or to the treasurer at Friends of Deal Hospital, Victoria Hospital, London Road, Deal, Kent, CT14 9UA.

To keep up-to-date with all the latest developments with your local hospitals and other health stories, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent