Guests at an outdoor concert who paid an extra £49 for VIP tickets have slammed the service they received and called it a rip off.

The first of this year's Rochester Castle Concerts took place last night, with The Human League appearing on stage.

Standard tickets cost £50 and you could upgrade to a £99 VIP ticket – but concert-goer Ashley Pearson said they were "left horrified by the absolute lack of what was promised".

VIP ticket holders were told they would get "a dedicated fast track VIP entry lane, private VIP bars offering an eclectic range of drinks from beers and wines to cocktails and bubbly, a VIP food area bringing you the best range of street food, access to premium toilets, seating within the VIP bar area".

Mr Pearson, who went with his partner Isla said: "To start with we couldn't find the VIP area as there were no signs. Then we noticed this area sort of covered with a brown tarpaulin. There wasn't a VIP sign, they probably didn't dare put one up.

"We were promised a VIP food area. There wasn’t one. There was nothing at all serving food, you had to go into the main arena.

"There was only one bar, and it was serving the same as the main arena bar, it was the same menu. In fact, the VIP menu look tattier with bits covered up and changed.

"There were two female toilets available, one of which was beyond disgusting by 6pm. My partner later used one of the portable toilets in the main arena and that was cleaner."

The 51-year-old from Chatham, who has since been offered a refund for the extra money he paid for the VIP ticket, said he posted on the Castle Concerts Facebook page while still at the gig but his comments and photos were deleted.

Others have expressed similar thoughts to Mr Pearson on the Castle Concerts Facebook page.

Ian Jock Forde commented: "Attended last night and was excited as we went VIP, wish we had not, it was terrible.

"A dedicated fast track VIP entry lane – yes but you also share it with general entry. Private VIP bars offering an eclectic range of drinks from beers and wines to cocktails and bubbly – it's the same bar as the general entry which had no queue.

"VIP food area, bringing you the best range of street food. Where? There was none. We had to walk across the grounds to the overpriced food vendors.

"Access to premium toilets only available for VIP ticket holders – it was the normal castle ground toilets which were dirty and ladies was broken.

"Seating within the VIP bar area – we arrived early and there was 15 bench seat and seven tables for 70 people.

"VIP at near double the price and no seating for 60% of your customers is a rip off."

Alf Clark commented: "Attended last night, excellent performances but the whole VIP experience was a total rip off. Two toilets per gender, no loo roll, just a few benches at the back of the arena and a bar with no fridge so £25 for warm wine. Save your money and go to the main area as you will have a better time."

VIP tickets are still on sale for Al McKay's Earth, Wind and Fire Experience on Friday and The Specials on Saturday, offering the VIP entry, bars, premium toilets and seating. There is no longer any mention of a VIP food area.

Organisers AGMP say the street food was not available at The Human League concert because of staff sickness.

A spokesman said: "Unfortunately, due to our street food supplier's entire staff going down with Covid on July 4 we were regretfully unable to provide a food outlet within the VIP area.

"All other elements included in the VIP ticket offering including a purpose-built viewing platform, VIP bar and plumbed in toilets were provided.

"Obviously, we regret any customer not enjoying the concerts and will respond personally to each and every complaint that we receive."