A number of creative talents from the town of Hitchin are set to give their backing to a series of nationwide events this week intended to support the events and entertainment industry.

A day of action called 'Red Alert' is planned on Tuesday in London and across the UK - which will see hundreds of venues, landmarks, monuments and buildings across the country light up in the colour red, in support of the trade which has been hard hit by the fallout from Covid and lockdown.

The coronavirus pandemic has decimated the live events sector, leaving many with an uncertain future.

People are being asked to 'step out the shadows' and help alert the government that if they don't offer sector-specific support until full capacity live events are possible, the hard-pressed industry will lose the talented companies and skilled freelancers that help entertain us all.

Alex Slater from Hitchin is operations manager for a well-established company called Stage Miracles that provide crew for putting on live events - using a diverse group of highly skilled staff experienced in a wide range of activities.

Speaking to Hitchin Nub News, Alex said: "Red Alert will see thousands of industry members line-up on bridges and riverbanks around the Thames and along the Southbank on Tuesday - socially distanced of course.

"And with the help of leading production experts, the capital will look like you've never seen it before.

"The plan is that a number of politicians favourable to our cause will board a boat at Westminster Pier, sailing through a series of 'arenas' which will feature many of the capital's iconic landmarks, all lit up red – surrounded by thousands of us from the industry in support of our trade."

Experienced Alex, who has helped stage thouands of events during his career, from the Rolling Stones at Wembley Stadium to classical music at Hyde Park - and everything in between - is concerned about his industry and knows plenty of friends and colleagues attending the event.

The event hosts have taken all the necessary precautions and worked with authorities to ensure the safe running of the event and that social distancing will be complied with.

Stewards will be present in each arena, monitoring health and safety throughout the duration of the event – with all attendees asked to wear face masks.

Well-respected Alex from Stage Miracles – a company that also helped provide staff for the iconic Live Aid at Wembley in 1985 - told Hitchin Nub News: "60 per cent of the events businesses say that the government's £1.57bn arts rescue package will not reach them.

"Equally, while the re-opening of events may sound like good news for the industry, 80 per cent of the trade say it will have no to little impact on their revenue while social distancing measures - rendering them simply unviable.

"Many of us intend to help to shine a light on this vast and complex industry and campaign for the support we desperately require.

"While the world re-opens, the events industry is still left in the shadows without the support we urgently need."

For more information visit the website www.lightitred.co.uk and use the hashtag WeMakeEvents on social media platforms.