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Birmingham's St Patrick's Festival has been postponed.

The unprecedented move to postpone the Festival, which was due to take place this weekend, comes "following community feedback".

Organisers confirmed the move to delay the Festival, which was scheduled for Birmingham on March 15.

It is in response to the threat of coronavirus, said organisers.

The event has become the third largest St Patrick's Day parade in the world, behind New York and Dublin.

Both those other parades have this year been axed amid fears over the spread of COVID-19 at large gatherings.

(Image: Birmingham Mail)

A "world-class" festival experience will be delivered later in the year, the team added.

Festival chair Peter Connolly said: “We are devastated to share this news with you, however, we are committed to providing our city with a belated St Patrick’s celebration that we can all be proud of later in the year."

It had looked like this year's parade might be cancelled after the headline sponsor who has provided the main funding for the past three years decided not to continue doing so this year.

But two new main sponsors stepped in to save the event.

Other local events celebrating St Patrick's Day have been scrapped too.

They include a concert at The Old Crown on Saturday March 14 by traditional Irish band Goats Don't Shave.

They had been set to perform during the Six Nations Rugby Super Saturday - but the Six Nations matches have been postponed due to coronavirus.

Since forming in a pub in 1990, Goats Don’t Shave are one of the biggest bands Ireland have ever produced, with five top singles, including fan favourite Las Vegas In The Hills of Donegal.