CONCERN is growing for the events industry following the cancellation of Glastonbury Festival.

The event, which takes place at Worthy Farm in Somerset, has been axed for the second year in a row amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The news was announced on Thursday on the event’s Twitter page.

Brighton Event Professionals Independent Committee said it is “devastated but not surprised” by the cancellation of the festival.

It added that another year of cancelled events could be devastating for Brighton and that “widespread unemployment” and a “genuine loss of industries” would be likely.

However Ian Baird, chairman of the committee, said that smaller events and festivals “may still be viable” but needed more support from the government to ensure they could survive financially.

He said: "We remain confident that the second half of 2021 shows promise for our industry. That said we are currently chained by government.

“In order to deliver events, this year planning and expenditure must start now. To facilitate this we urgently need the government to support a treasury backed insurance scheme for the industry which will open the taps of investment to the supply chain."