A NEW report issued by the Government has brought cause for optimism for one of Cumbria's most popular festivals.

While Kendal Calling has announced the 2021 event will not be going ahead, it remains all systems go for the organisers of Solfest.

The event, which is due to take place on the August Bank Holiday, has been buoyed by the results of the Government's trials on large events.

Solfest's Sam Johnstone revealed the team expect everything to go ahead as planned.

He said: "The research cane out this week, but it doesn't give you guidance - it just tells you that we will be given the gudiance shortly.

"It was positive and negative - there was only 28 cases but only 15 per cent of people in total took a PCR test after the event, which is really terrible.

"But - it was for music, sport, everything - the music event, 60 per cent returned which is promising.

"We're confident that we're going ahead. We have a series of meetings coming up this month to make sure we can get everything over the line. We'll be very happy when those are over."

Sam also expressed disappointment that the much-loved Kendal Calling festival will not be going ahead this year.

The festival's organisers announced the cancellation last week, prior to the advice given by the Government, citing a lack of guidance.

Kendal Calling was due to take place at Lowther Deer Park in the Lake District from July 29 to August 1 with headliners including Stereophonics and Dizzee Rascal, after cancelling in 2020 as a result of the pandemic.

Since then, musicians and other representatives of the industry have criticised the Government for a perceived lack of respect for the sector throughout the pandemic.

Sam added: "It's an absolute shame about Kendal. We go every year, we've helped out in the past and some of the supply chain supplies us as well. We're really gutted."

The Government's so-called pilot events for festivals have included Download Festival, which saw 10,000 fans descend on Donington Park - down significantly from the festival's usual capacity of 111,000.

Further trials are also set to go ahead, including Tramlines in Sheffield. Once on site, people are not required to observe social distancing or wear face masks.

It is hoped te events will provide more vital scientific evidence about the spread of Covid-19 at large events.