There will be no Wenlock poetry festival in 2017, its organisers have announced, saying they need “time to plan the development of a revised, professional working structure and to create a more robust and sustainable festival”.

In a statement they added: “In only seven years Wenlock poetry festival has established itself as one of the foremost festivals devoted to poetry in the UK. This is thanks to the huge support it has received from patrons, poets, volunteers, sponsors and especially the enthusiastic audience which arrives in Much Wenlock from increasingly distant parts.

“We hope you will continue to give us all your support. And we’re happy to announce that there will be new events under the banner of Wenlock poetry festival for you to look out for during 2017, as we keep the flame alive.”

The news from Wenlock in Shropshire comes after the Poetry Trust, which runs the Aldeburgh poetry festival, was forced to “pause” its operations in the face of a funding crisis late last year. There will be no poetry festival at Snape Maltings in 2016, although a three-day festival, organised by volunteers, will still take place in Aldeburgh in November this year.