THE Scottish Greens have announced they are cancelling their spring conference due to the coronavirus outbreak.

It had been due to take place in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on Saturday, March 28 in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

But now the Scottish Greens' Executive Committee has decided to call off the event.

Ross Greer MSP, the executive's co-chairman, said: "Due to the ongoing coronavirus situation, the Scottish Greens Executive Committee has today taken the decision to cancel our upcoming conference.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Number of confirmed cases in Scotland rises to 60

"The health and well-being of our members and the public is our primary concern and it is with that in mind that we have taken this decision."

It follows an announcement by Nicola Sturgeon at First Minister's Questions that large-scale public events of more than 500 people are cancelled from Monday.

The First Minister said it is "inappropriate that we continue as normal", recommending the ban to protect front-line services.

Sturgeon said: "This is a decision that we are basing on resilience issues and not simply on the action that we are required to take to reduce the spread.

The Scottish Tories are set to meet in Perth on March 15 and 16, the Scottish LibDems have scheduled their conference for May 22-24 in Peebles, and the SNP have planned a one-day conference in Aviemore on June 13. Scottish Labour are not holding a spring conference but will meet later in the year.

The Scottish LibDems said while their event is also under review, it is still a few months until it is due to take place. The Scottish Tories, too, have said their conference is under review. 

Yesterday it was announced the UK LibDems would be cancelling their conference, due to take place this weekend in York.