ONE of Kent's largest free events has been cancelled because of new police charges.

The Maidstone River Festival, which would have been in its 29th year, was scrapped this week.

David Knight, the festival's chairman, blamed new charges for policing public events which will be imposed nationwide by the Association of Chief Police Officers in April.

Mr Knight described the charges - which he said would have been about £21,700 for the event - as "an absolute scandal".

He said: "The River Festival Committee wants to clearly explain that while it is extremely upset at the introduction of these charges, the committee is not holding Kent Police or any of its officers directly responsible for these charges.

"Being classed as a community event, the River Festival does attract a 50 per cent discount but that is still a crippling £21,726.97 for the organisers to find."

Chief inspector Tony Henley, from Mid Kent Police, said that after negotiations the figure for policing the event would be between £12,000 to £15,000.

He said: "An event of significance like the River Festival means taking resources not only from Maidstone but from across the county.

"We are very aware of the challenge that bringing in these charges has given the river festival and we will support them in coming to a longer term solution."