Although we will be sad to leave Brighton, the foot-and-mouth crisis obviously takes priority

Ish Ali Festival organiser

Essential festival organisers confirmed that the two-day event will move to the more urban location of Hackney Marshes because Stanmer Park has been closed and due to the "unpredictability of the situation".

"Although we will be sad to leave Brighton, the foot-and-mouth crisis obviously takes priority," organiser Ish Ali said.

The Stereo MCs and Isaac Hayes are among those due to appear. It is scheduled for 14 and 15 July. Tickets will go on sale on Friday (20 April).

The disease was also blamed for forcing organisers of a Gatecrasher bank holiday dance event in Belfast to cancel the event with one day's notice.

Uncertainty

Organisers of the concert, planned for the city's Odyssey Arena on Saturday, said ticket sales had been poor because people were unsure if it would go ahead as planned.

One festival, the Bishopstock blues festival near Exeter, Devon, has already been postponed because it is in one of the worst-affected areas.

Promoters of other festivals must now wait to see whether the disease continues to affect movements around the country.

Also said to be under threat is the Homelands one-day dance music event near Winchester, Hampshire, which is due to take place on 26 May.

They must decide whether it will be safe for 50,000 people to travel to the site - and if it is, whether fears over its status will affect ticket sales.