THE Coleford Music Festival has been officially cancelled for the second year running due to escalating police costs.
The police have introduced a new costing policy which will take effect from April 1, leading to bills of £22,300 plus VAT.
Organiser Victoria Thornton said: "This is a huge loss to the towns shops, businesses and traders. Many traders rely on the income that the festival generates from thousands of people in town over the May bank holiday weekend. This is a family event with music and entertainment for all age groups.
"The police have assessed the festival to have high impact on the town, and do not classify it as a community event. They regard the event as on a par with Cheltenham races and football matches.
"The festival committee has been advised by the police to take any future event out of the town centre, thus reducing police costs.
"This will be a great shame for the town, and will lose its appeal."
Organisers say there will still be music events over the bank holiday weekend in and around Coleford.
Events confirmed so far are: May 22, Lisa Pin-up the Queen of Hard Dance, Magnums; May 23, Estevez, Massai, Peppermint Hunting Lodge and Tumbling Dice at the Community Centre; May 23, Sounds from Ibiza 'ave it large party at Magnums; May 24, acoustic sounds from Tumbling Dice at the Red Lion and May 24, the Dandelion Killers at the Kings Head.
More events are expected to be announced shortly.