A music festival planned for Port Lympne animal park this summer has been cancelled amid fears that it could not meet its charitable obligations.

Last year’s festival, run by different operators, was beset with problems and ended up having its costs borne by Port Lympne.

This year’s event, called Red List LIVE, was intended to raise funds for the wildlife charity Aspinall Foundation but it was decided that the risk of income failing to cover costs was too great with the recession expected to continue throughout the summer. The cancellation has been announced before final acts were booked and site work undertaken.

Vic Reeves and the Zutons were among the acts due to appear.

In a statement, the organisation said: “Established local festivals are expected to have a greater impact on Red List LIVE than previously envisaged, particularly with the nearby Hop Farm’s capacity increase and anticipated expansion to become a camping festival.”

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Red List LIVE is looking at a series of smaller one-off events and gigs in the South East through 2009 with some of the bands scheduled to play the festival.

Festival Director Eddie Hill added: “We are very upset at having to make such a hard call, however we are confident that we have done what is right for the cause. Foremost in our mind was the greater problems it could have created had we made this decision further down the line.

“Red List LIVE would like to thank everyone that has supported the festival

and the cause, and to apologise that we have had to postpone until next year.

“We will be making full refunds to those who have purchased festival tickets,

but fully intend for the Red List LIVE brand to continue, and we hope to see

everyone shortly at one of our soon-to-be-announced events.”

See www.redlistlive.com for further details.