A HIGHLY-POPULAR event on Denbigh's Christmas calendar has officially been cancelled for a second year running.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Denbigh, the 'Roll The Barrel' competition has been a feature of the town's Boxing Day traditions for more than 50 years.

The event, which also helps collect money for the Rotary club's various charities, usually draws a very large crowd together on the morning of December 26.

However, due to rising Covid-19 cases in the area, Denbigh Rotary Club officials have confirmed that it will not take place this year - following on from also having been cancelled in 2020.

Denbigh Rotary's Elfed Morris said: "The annual Roll The Barrel contest in Denbigh on Boxing Day has been cancelled again this year. Denbigh Rotary Club, who have organised the event for over 50 years, have decided for the second year running to cancel due to the high numbers of Covid-19 in the area and associated health and safety concerns.

"The club thanks the people of Denbigh and district for their support over the years and hopes to run the contest again in 2022."

The Rotary Club supports many charities and individuals in Denbigh and the surrounding district, and the money collected on Boxing Day, together with the proceeds from the Grand Christmas Raffle, are a major fundraiser for those charities.

In the last event held in 2019, Denbigh's Boxing Day Barrell Roll saw entrants from all over the world - including the USA and New Zealand - take part.

The winner of the gents' roll the barrel championship was Gareth Owen. The 28-year-old from Llannefydd triumphed in front of a huge crowd on Denbigh High Street in the 61st running of the annual Boxing Day event.