THE World Pipe Band Championships 2020 has been cancelled, organisers have announced. 

The annual competition, which last year saw 35,000 visitors visit Glasgow Green, was due to take place on August 14 and 15 but has now been axed following the coronavirus lockdown. 

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In a statement, Ian Embelton, chief executive of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association said: “The World Pipe Band Championships is the competition where bands, pipers and drummers want to test themselves against the very best.

"Behind every band that competes there are months of practising together, weeks of planning to get the bands to the arenas and vast amounts of fundraising and none of this can be done now."

The World Pipe Band Championships, which has taken place every year since 1986, is due to be back in action by 2021, with around 200 bands competing in the well-loved event. 

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Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland's director of events, said: “The World Pipe Band Championships is the pinnacle of the piping calendar, welcoming the best pipers and drummers from around the world to Scotland for this spectacular event.

"Cancelling this year's event has been a difficult decision but necessary one as we navigate through these unprecedented times.

"For now our focus must be on supporting the NHS and all the service providers on the front line as they deal with Covid-19 but we look forward to welcoming the piping community back to Scotland for next year's World Championships."

Councillor David McDonald, chair of Glasgow Life, and deputy leader of Glasgow City Council, mourned the loss of the event to Glasgow's cultural summer programme, saying: “The World Pipe Band Championships has been associated with Glasgow longer than any other major summer event.

"Glasgow comes alive with the sound of Pipe Bands in August and we are very much looking forward to welcoming the championships back next year.”

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