ONE of Inverclyde's biggest events of the year is set to be scaled back in the hope it can go ahead in spite of the coronavirus outbreak and other events could be called off.

Organisers of the Galoshans Festival 2020 are working closely with the council to find a way to continue after being forced to cancel the Halloween street parade and party in the park.

Instead Rig Arts are looking at a number of smaller events, including online workshops and continuing with some street theatre.

They are looking at ways of securing funding in time for the planned October festival.

Lauren Grech of Rig Arts said: "Unfortunately we will be unable to have our parade and party in the square this year, but we will have a variety of exciting content for everyone.

"Galoshans 2020 will be a mix of online content and small outdoor events."

The arts group will work with youth theatre company Kayos and other partners such as Surge for street theatre events, which proved a big hit with crowds last year.

There could also be online community design workshops, a window art trail and a live streamed gig.

Rig Arts intend to introduce coastal poetry walks and are working with local heritage organisation Magic Torch on a comic book.

They also plan a new project working with young women carers to put on musical performances with notable local artists such as Shelagh McKay Jones and Lesley McLaren.

Meanwhile Inverclyde Council says it is waiting to discover if other big public events like the annual fireworks display in Battery Park will be permitted.

The local authority is waiting for Scottish Government guidance to be published before deciding if it can go ahead.

A spokesman said: "Events are subject to government safety advice and the continued suppression of coronavirus.

"As it stands, the annual Inverclyde fireworks display at Battery Park in November is still scheduled to go ahead.

"We are also in discussions with Rig Arts about different scenarios for the Galoshans Festival in October and how that might take place given the current circumstances.

"However these events are still some time away and they, along with all other events, are dependent on the government safety advice at the time and we will take that into account before making any final decisions."