AN OPEN air music festival for 1,500 revellers this weekend has been moved from Wickham over safety fears.

Bigtop 2004 will now be held at the Pyramids Centre in Southsea, Portsmouth after policing costs forced a change in the venue.

Scores of music lovers were due to descend on Little Tapnage Farm in Titchfield Lane on Saturday to see live bands and DJs.

Winchester planners had given the go ahead for the charity fundraiser, despite 20 letters of complaint from residents over noise and nuisance and the objection of Wickham Parish Council.

But organisers were required to gain the full support of police and organised a series of meetings and site visits. Serious concerns emerged over the safety and access which is along a single-track road. There were no pavement or lighting and a number of blind bends.

The policing necessary to make the event safe would have included a team of more than 30 officers at a price of £12,500.

Tim Armstrong, co-owner of organisers Sound Proj-x, said: "Although we expected a policing cost, it was not assumed to be this high and ticket prices were set based on a figure much less.

"As this final cost was only reached three weeks prior to the event and in light of the number of tickets already sold, we were unable to change ticket prices and felt it would be unfair anyway.

"The simplest solution was to change the venue which is exactly what we have done.

"The bands and DJs performing remain the same as does the sound, lighting, lasers and dcor."

Headliners Nick Sentience and and LAB4 are confirmed for the event, along with a host of other bands and DJs.