Paisley’s bumper Hallowe’en weekend and Spree festival and have been axed as the coronavirus pandemic continues to decimate the region’s events calendar.

The town’s popular fireworks display, as well as Christmas light switch-on events across the area are also under threat as planners struggle with social distancing rules.

The Johnstone Fire Engine Rally, Renfrew and Barshaw Gala Days and Doors Open Day are among the other major events wiped from the schedule.

Organisers of the Royal National Mod have also confirmed the Gaelic festival will take place in Paisley in 2023 instead of 2022 after they were forced to pull this year’s bash in Inverness.

Local authority bosses have said a final decision will be made before the end of next month as to whether the fireworks display and Christmas light switch-ons in Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew can go ahead.

A council spokesman said: “In response to the coronavirus outbreak and in line with national guidance, the council has taken the decision to cancel all large-scale council-run events until the end of October this year.

“The decision means the following events will no longer take place: Renfrew Gala Day, Barshaw Gala Day, Johnstone Fire Engine Rally, Renfrewshire Doors Open Days, The Spree festival, and Paisley Hallowe’en Festival.

“Paisley’s annual Sma’ Shot Day celebrations will be marked this year, but in a different way. A programme of online events will take place on Saturday , July 4, to commemorate the historic victory of local weavers, as well as the invaluable contribution of today’s key workers across Renfrewshire. The full programme of online events will be announced in due course.

“We will continue to review the staging of council-run events after October with a further decision expected by June 30.”

The award-winning Hallowe’en weekend – originally scheduled for October 30 and 31 – attracted around 41,000 people to Paisley last year and involved more than 350 costumed performers.

And more than 12,000 music lovers descended on the town for the Spree Festival, which usually runs over nine packed days in early October.

Meanwhile, Sma’ Shot Day – staged on the first Saturday in July –  attracts thousands each year as residents celebrate the infamous 19th-century victory by the town’s weavers over their bosses.

It was previously announced the Food Festival and British Pipe Band Championships in Paisley, alongside gala events organised by community councils across the region, were to be scrapped in 2020.