The promoter of the star-studded Ramblin' Man Fair music festival in Maidstone has gone into liquidation - but the event is still vowing to return next year.

Billed as a classic rock festival, the event was due to take place this summer in Mote Park but had to be cancelled for a second year running due to the pandemic.

First staged in 2015, over the years it has seen headline slots by the likes of Whitesnake, The Cult, ZZ Top and Foreigner.

But the loss of two years of revenues has hit its promoter, Spirit of Rock, hard and the firm has now gone into voluntary liquidation.

Among those it owed money to was Maidstone Borough Council - to the tune of £6,000. Ticket-holders who want a refund - rather than the promise of tickets next year - and have not yet applied are now likely to have to chase a refund through their credit card provider or face being left empty-handed.

A statement explained: "It has been a huge challenge for Ramblin' Man Fair‘s (RMF) parent company, Sprit of Rock (SOR), to navigate through the past 18 months both financially and emotionally. Unfortunately we have to announce that SOR will no longer be in operation as a result of disruption and upheaval that we faced through the pandemic, which caused long tail effects into the summer of 2021.

"As anybody who has come to the festival over the years is well aware, RMF is a project of passion and the team have developed an amazing event, developed an incredible community of like-minded people and generated lifelong memories during the five year run under SOR."

The company has gone under owing just over £2million - the bulk of which is to its shareholders.

But the festival is vowing to live on despite the set-back.

Taking over from Spirit of Rock will be movie and entertainment professional Jake Seal - he has vowed to bring the event back in 2022.

The festival insists it will return in July 2022 and that all remaining 2021 ticket holders will get tickets for next year - promising "more details will be announced on this in the next few weeks".

The statement, posted on the festival's Facebook page, added: "Jake would like to thank the SOR team for building an exceptional experience and is looking forward to following their lead in taking the festival into 2022 and beyond.

"The incomparable RMF experience will live on in 2022 with an exciting line up already taking shape including artist residencies, improved camping and some all new attractions to be added into the fibre of the festival. You can expect fine cigars, even more quality food and real ale choices, some live streaming discussions and of course some amazing headliners to rock our stages.

"In 2019 we road tested a holographic experience, so, rest assured, we will not be sitting on our laurels in 2022 either - with detailed talks taking place for other augmented experiences to add to the traditional, classic Ramblin' vibe."

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