London's Essential Festival, which was due to feature music from Jools Holland, Morcheeba and Zero 7, has been cancelled.

Organisers blamed the decision on financial problems caused by a "disastrous" day at their event in Bristol earlier in the summer, which left fans angry after a string of bands pulled out at short notice.

Jools Holland was among the stars on the bill

That event was marred by poor ticket sales, and the bands said they were forced to cancel because of "contractual difficulties".

Organisers had already scaled the London event down from three to two days because they had trouble securing the services of high-profile rock acts.

"The disastrous rock day at Bristol's Essential Festival has created significant financial difficulties for the event, which have not been able to be sufficiently resolved," a statement said.

"In addition to this, the site suffered considerable damage after the adverse weather conditions that Mardi Gras had to face last weekend, with the result that Essential are not wholly confident that the location would be suitable for hosting the festival."

There has also been a "substantial slump" in attendances for music events - except Glastonbury and the Oasis tour - the statement added.

Goldie was due to play a DJ set

To be held over the weekend of 3 and 4 August, the festival was also due to feature DJ Shadow, Goldie, Aphex Twin, Youssou N'Dour and Asian Dub Foundation.

Their festival in Bristol in early May was investigated by local authorities after the line-up on the rock day was decimated by cancellations and fans demanded refunds.

Organisers said the cancellations were for safety reasons because of waterlogging - but bands and fans questioned that explanation.

Reef and Therapy? were among the groups to pull out just two days before the Bristol event began, citing "contractual difficulties".

At the time, Essential said it was the only major independent festival left, and did not have the sponsors behind it to compete with bigger rock events like Reading, Leeds and the V festivals when signing headlining bands.