Festival refunds are 'uncertain'

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Choir members from across Cornwall had been rehearsing for months

Organisers of a major music festival in Cornwall cancelled due to poor ticket sales have said it is "too soon" to say if ticket-buyers would get refunds.

Killiow 2008, featuring singer Hayley Westenra, had been due to take place in a giant pink marquee on the Killiow estate near Truro in September.

Organisers said there were insufficient funds from sales to pay for the marquee and no alternative could be found.

It was cancelled after only 4,000 tickets out of 14,000 were sold.

'Bitterly disappointed'

The five-day series of charity fundraising concerts was to be held in a 3,000-seater marquee. Opera singer Alfie Boe and television presenter Selina Scott were also to appear.

Organisers had promised it would be the "largest undercover musical event ever seen in the South West".

The BBC understands Alfie Boe had already been paid and Hayley Westenra received part of her fee in advance.

Organisers were calling the artists due to take part to inform them of the cancellation, but when BBC South West spoke to Alfie Boe's agents on Wednesday morning, they had no idea the event was off.

Ticket holders paid between £20 and £100 each. But the organisers have not yet promised refunds, despite being "bitterly disappointed" at the cancellation.

Hayley Westenra has already been paid part of her performing fee

Dr Charles Moon, chairman of Camellia MC Productions, said: "It's too soon to give any information. We are consulting with our finance people, accountants and solicitors."

He said credit card customers might be able to get refunds through their cards' insurance schemes.

But he added the amount of money needed to refund all customers, believed to be about £160,000, was "not in the bank".

He added: "If we can, we'll get it back; and we're going to fight tooth and nail to make sure people don't lose out."

The concerts were to showcase local Cornish talent alongside international performers.

A full orchestra and choir of 270 professional and amateur singers which had been formed for the event will not be disbanded.

They plan to perform at charity concerts in the region instead.