THE LLANGOLLEN Musical Eisteddfod is set to go ahead despite fears of over the coronavirus outbreak.

Organisers of the event say they "fully intend" that this year's event will take place, despite the concerns.

Its organisers say they are "monitoring the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak", but that it is currently "too early to predict how this will affect" the event - scheduled to take place in early July.

There were rumours that the virus would force the cancellation of the year's Eisteddfod - which each year attracts thousands of people from across the world.

And while organisers admit that the decision may ultimately be taken out of their hands, it is, as it stands, set to go ahead as normal.

A spokesman for Llangollen Musical Eisteddfod said: "We are keeping in touch with Public Health Wales and other relevant authorities to ensure that any steps we take are in accordance with the best and most up to date evidence based advice that is available.

"We fully intend that Llangollen 2020 will go ahead and we are exploring defensive measures to lessen any risks that our audience, staff or volunteers might be exposed to by attending the festival."

Organisers say they will "ensure that enhanced hygiene facilities are available for all who attend" and will "take advice to ensure that we meet best practice standards for this".

The spokesman added: "We will outline what these will comprise before the event to address any public concerns in this regard.

"We are communicating with competitors to help them in their planning to attend and liaising with our sponsors, suppliers and other stakeholders to support them in their preparations for the event.

"We intend to give a clear indication of the way in which we will adapt LIME 2020 to cope with the outbreak towards the end of April when the development of the virus is clearer and its impacts more easily defined."

This year's programme includes classical vocal powerhouses Aled Jones and Russell Watson and Brit Award winners Will Young and James Morrison.