Organisers of a popular festival near to Hitchin have revealed they are heartbroken after the Boris Johnson's government insisted that coronavirus rules will remain in place for another four weeks after the planned 21 June unlocking.

The PM and senior ministers decided to delay the lifting of all legal restrictions on social contact.

This means capacity limits for sports, pubs and cinemas will stay in place, nightclubs will remain shut and planned festivals within the period will be curtailed.

This includes the eagerly-awaited Todd in the Hole family friendly festival, set in stunning Hertfordshire countryside near Hitchin that was set to run from Friday, July 16 to Sunday, July 18.

Organisers revealed that they are 'heartbroken' and 'devastated' as the shattering news.

In a moving post on their Facebook page they said: "Words that don't even come close to how we feel right now.

"Last night's government announcement regrettably means that this years' festival will not be taking place.

"We've put our heart and soul in to planning Todd 2021. We knew that nothing was guaranteed this year and that's always been at the back of our minds, but to come so cruelly close and to miss the deadline for opening up by just one day is truly heart breaking."

England was due to move to stage four of the government's roadmap out of lockdown on 21 June, when venues and events would be allowed to operate without capacity limits and the cap on guests at weddings would be lifted.

It would also have meant an end to current rules which limit gatherings at home to six people or two households.

However, a number of scientists called for the reopening to be delayed to allow more of the population to be vaccinated and receive second doses, amid rising cases of the Delta variant, first identified in India.

Yet, festival organisers insisted that they believe an event like Todd is exactly what our wonderful community needed this year.

They said: "Just imagine all those smiling faces coming together with friends and family for a weekend to remember spurred us on to plan the most amazing festival for you."

They also said that the events industry is on its knees and that so many festivals have already announced their cancellation or postponement, and this has a devastating effect on so many.

This includes the artists who have spent so much of the last year out of work, to the food traders, to the production team, to the photographers, to charities who need support more than ever.

They added: "Todd 2021 was going to be special, it was going to be magical, it was going to be unforgettable.

"But as with last year we find ourselves writing a cancellation announcement that we all continued to hope we wouldn't have to write."

The organisers also underlined that they fully support any measures that need to be taken to get back to normal, to protect lives and to protect the NHS.

In a rallying cry they said: "So, here's what we're going to do. We're going to throw everything we've got in to ensuring 2022 is THE ONE!!

"And we'd love for you to join us on the ride!

"Our ticket partner, Ticketline, will be in touch with all ticket purchasers directly re transfer or refund of tickets. We'd be enormously grateful to those of you who are able to roll your tickets over to next year.

"Please save the date: Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 17. Until then keep following us and keep the Todd love alive.

"With love and thanks from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support, David, Mark & all of Team Todd."