A new family-friendly music and arts festival in Maidstone has come under fire from angry customers.

Many people attending the Big Day Out festival in Maidstone, said they faced huge queues to get into Mote Park. Others complained security was lax and that they could have walked in without a ticket.

Rain also caused delays to planned appearances by children's favourite Peppa Pig and characters from Paw Patrol.

The event runs over two days at the site. The Hoosiers and Britain's Got Talent winners Diversity headlined tonight, with Chas & Dave and the Lightning Seeds playing tomorrow.

Many festiva-goers took to Twitter to express disappointment about problems with hour-long waits for parking and a lack of ticket checks on the door.

Grace Bell tweeted: "Queued forever, didn't even check tickets, no bag checks, no covered areas, limited seating and so expensive!"

Gemma Jones added: "Don't need entry tickets or car park ticket for the Big Day Out. nothing checked! Staff don't have a clue what's going on!"

Some visitors were also angered after their posts about issues on the event's Facebook page appeared to have been deleted.

Kelly Little attended the festival today with her two children. She said she queued for about three hours to get into the event.

She said: "I've posted comments on their Facebook page, which they keep deleting!

"I will take this much further as I require a full refund, I know I'm not alone in my frustration and anger."

The organisers have apologised to customers on their Facebook page, explaining that delays on the door were due necessary security checks.

But others have also praised the Big Day Out's music lineup.

Martin Winchcombe tweeted: "It may be raining @BigDayOutUK but @Diversity Tweet were on fire today."

Greg Newman added: "@BigDayOutUK is the place to be ha ha. @GlastoFest is overrated".

And, reacting to the criticism, Ricky Comber tweeted KentOnline to say: "Most of that is garbage! Been there all day, and got even better when people left that couldn't handle a drizzle."

Anyone who would like to contact the organisers can do so by emailing info@bigdayoutfestival.com.

Were you there? Let us know what you thought of the event by commenting below or tweeting us at @kent_online