ORGANISERS of a popular music festival have pulled the plug for this year's event - even though tickets are already on sale.

The Somerley Tea Party will not take place in 2017, it has been announced.

In a statement released through the event's official Facebook page, organisers said: "This is a message to inform you that 2017 will see our team take a break from the Somerley Tea Party.

"Several aspects of the event were not coming together as planned so we are using this as an opportunity to take a year out from the festival and focus on other projects.

"2016 was an amazing show and we were very excited to evolve the festival in 2017 so this has been a heartbreaking decision to make.

"Thanks to all of those that have already purchased tickets - you will be refunded in full, along with an extra special gift from us in the next seven days, so lookout in your emails."

A later statement released reads: "We would like to point out that this is no way due to any issues with the council wanting to shut us down.

"This is a decision taken from our senior team that felt that 2017 was not shaping up how we wanted."

The festival, in the grounds of Lord Normanton's stately home near Ringwood, was due to take place for the fourth year this summer.

It attracted around 8,000 people in 2016, when the line-up including performances from Radio 1 stars Annie Mac and B.Traits.

The event was given the go-ahead after a seven-hour meeting of New Forest District Council's licensing sub-committee, called after police opposed the application on the grounds of safety issues and alleged 'widespread drug abuse'.