A festival expected to attract up to 6,000 music-lovers to Chepstow this summer, is cancelled after sponsorship deals failed to materialise.

The Bloom Festival was due to take place at the Racecourse between August 14 and 16 with acts like Finlay Quaye and Noah and the Whale lined up to perform.

But less than two weeks before its start, it has been cancelled, with organiser Franc Gooding blaming the difficult economic climate.

Interest was not given as a factor, with the 6,000 £75-a-piece tickets selling well and the event expected to be a near sell-out.

But with a number of sponsorship deals falling through, it was decided to pull the plug on the 2009 event.

“It’s been an incredibly difficult decision for us to make, as Bloom is an independently run organisation, built from our very heart and souls,” said Mr Gooding.

“We have worked tirelessly for the best part of nine months on this event which makes it very hard for us to walk away from it.”

The festival was billed as a house party in a field, with a mix of music including hip-hop, drum and bass and funk playing on six stages.

This would have been its fourth year and the first time in Chepstow. It was due to move to Gwent from West Littleton Down, Gloucestershire, following a licensing row.

Despite the cancellation, Mr Gooding was bullish about the event’s future. He said dates and a licence are already confirmed at Chepstow Racecourse for 2010.

He added: “We feel that the best decision at this juncture is to draw a line under 2009 and concentrate on staging the event we all love so much next summer.”

All Bloom 2009 ticket holders will be given a ticket to the 2010 event, plus another one free.

They can also be part exchanged for tickets to other UK festivals. For details, email office@bloomfestival.com.