The festival, which was to be based in High Town, was due to start on Monday.

It has been held every summer in the centre of Hereford for the past two years.

This year's event has been called off at short notice, due to staffing problems, according to organisers.

Organisers said they were told all stewards needed police checks, because of the number of children who attended the event, but there was not enough time to do this.

The festival is a joint project between Hereford City Partnership and Herefordshire Council.

Included in the event was Caribbean music, a number of food stalls and a sand pit in Hereford's High Town.