Events organiser Veron Quammi has scrapped plans for a music festival on the banks of the River Medway between Borstal and Wouldham amid concerns from villagers.

Mr Quammi spent months on his project to stage an all-day garage and hip-hop extravaganza next Saturday, November 5.

But as information about the Flex Festival spread residents raised fears about safety, traffic, policing and noise.

Mr Quammi held a meeting at the venue Riverview Manor to discuss the adult-only event and allay reservations.

He said: “I think I won a lot of people over and afterwards council licensing officers told me there was a good chance of it being approved.

“I have made sure everything was above board. We had done all the paperwork and safety checks. But after taking advice I thought it would be best to pull out.”

But Mr Quammi, 35, a railway engineer who has dreamed of putting on a festival for years, is far from put off from achieving his ambition.

Indeed, he is now setting his sights on Capstone Farm Country Park and Rochester Castle Gardens.

He said: “I’ve already got a lot in place and have more time on my hands. so if anything it will be bigger. I’ve been offered venues out of the area, but I think it is important to keep it in Medway.

“People in Medway are missing out. I want to mix it up and bring something fresh to the area. Not everyone want to see Status Quo every year.”

Mr Quammi, from Chatham, has earmarked Saturday May 27 as a possible date.

He said: “It’s because it’s a bank holiday weekend. But my girlfriend is not too impressed as it’s her birthday.”

Mr Quammi and fiancee Samaya Dallas, 29, a care worker are hoping to get married at Riverview Manor in Wouldham Road next summer.

About 300 tickets had been sold for Flex Festival and he said all money would be refunded within nine days.

Mr Quammi has withdrawn his licensing application to Medway Council and the licensing hearing due to take place on Tuesday has been cancelled.