A NEW Forest festival designed specifically for people with learning disabilities has been cancelled.

This summer's New Forest Spectrum event, due to be run by Minstead Training Trust and Stables Family Home Trust, was expected to be the first event of its kind in the UK.

But after struggling to sell enough tickets to meet its cost, organisers have been forced to cancel it.

The not-for-profit event was due to see more than 40 acts perform, including pop band Fish Police and blues band The Travelling Time Wasters, who both include musicians with autism and learning disabilities.

Despite high hopes earlier this month after a boost in ticket sales, organisers made the decision to cancel the event on Wednesday.

In an email to supporters, festival co-producer Hal Kennard said: "I am very sorry, it is with great regret that we have to cancel the New Forest Spectrum Music Festival for People with Learning Disabilities. Despite lots of great support, we have simply not sold enough tickets to enable the event to go ahead as planned.

"We know there will be many disappointed people who were planning to come to something that was different and unique and we share that disappointment.

"All tickets and any accommodation booked through us will be refunded as soon as possible."

He added: "I would like to personally thank Jan Mills from The Stable Family Home Trust, Madeleine Durie from The Minstead Training Trust, Hugh Calder co producer, the amazing staff from Mencap, Dominc Slowie, National Clinical Director for Learning Disability (NHS England), all the staff at Foxlease and everyone else who has helped the New Forest Spectrum project.

"Although we did not manage to sell enough tickets for this event, I am confident that we can put the event on next year, bigger and better - please watch this space."

A three-day ticket, which would have included camping, was priced at £120, with a one-day ticket £80.