The Camp Bestival music festival has been cancelled over health and safety fears after the site was hit by driving rain and gale force winds.
The main areas of the family festival, held at Lulworth Castle in Dorset, were shut down on Sunday afternoon after the area was rocked by severe weather.
Heavy rain caused many campers’ tents to be flooded and 50mph winds knocked them over, causing bosses to shut all of the stages due to health and safety fears.
Photos show miserable-looking festival-goers drenched and packing up their battered tents from the campgrounds.
Thousands voiced their fury over the decision, causing ticket-holders to miss out on seeing Simple Minds perform, as the Scottish band were due to close out the festival.
The Camp Bestival music festival has been cancelled over health and safety fears after the site was hit by driving rain and gale force winds
Heavy rain caused many campers’ tents to be flooded and 50mph winds knocked them over, causing bosses to shut all of the stages due to health and safety fears
One staff member at the event said they were stranded and that all areas were ‘shut down.’ He also said the weather had been so severe that trees had come down on the site
Other staff members who went off site were not allowed back on site, he added. Others said hundreds of tents had been destroyed
Hundreds of tents had been destroyed, according to reports
A spokesman for the festival, which runs between July 26 and 29, said: ‘We are currently reviewing the weather situation with your safety as our absolute priority.’
One staff member at the event said they were stranded and that all areas were ‘shut down.’
He also said the weather had been so severe that trees had come down on the site.
Other staff members who went off site were not allowed back on site, he added.
Hundreds of tents had been destroyed, according to reports.
Festival-goer Glen Marvell James said on Twitter that his tent was leaking and his seven-year-old was getting ‘very agitated.’
Thousands voiced their fury over the decision, causing ticket-holders to miss out on seeing Simple Minds perform, as the Scottish band were due to close out the festival
A spokesman for the festival, which runs between July 26 and 29, said: ‘We are currently reviewing the weather situation with your safety as our absolute priority’
When he asked whether anywhere was serving tea, Camp Bestival’s official Twitter site told him there were stalls available backstage.
But Mr Marvell James replied: ‘The one in hospitality blew down about two hours ago, luckily nobody was hurt and the other vendors are closed or not serving tea/coffee. Getting cold and wet… please make a decision.’
Sarah Mason added: ‘Beaten by Camp Bestival! High winds & torrential rain has ruined lots of tents including mine and they’ve now shut the arena activities.
‘So I’m heading home to dry out. Shame to miss Simple Minds but we’ve had a great couple of nights.’
The festival said it will issue ticket refunds as soon at it could and festival-goers are welcome to stay in the campsites until 2pm on Monday.
Traders will remain open in campsites and taxis were available from the venue.
Bestival’s full statement said: ‘Dear Camp Bestival, we are utterly devastated and heartbroken to say that we have been advised by our safety teams that we can not re-open arenas again today due to the severe weather and the forecasting of continual high winds and rain today.’
Pictured: Clean Bandit performing at the festival on Saturday
Festival-goer Sarah Mason added: ‘Beaten by Camp Bestival! High winds & torrential rain has ruined lots of tents including mine and they’ve now shut the arena activities’
Photos show miserable-looking festival-goers drenched and packing up their battered tents from the campgrounds
Camp Bestival is the sister, family festival to music festival Bestival, which takes place on the first weekend in August
It continued: ‘We have had the best 3 days in Camp Bestival’s history, it’s been our greatest ever show with all our favourite performers, shows, stages and artists which we have thoroughly enjoyed sharing with you all.
‘You are by far the best festival audience and we love you dearly.
‘This has been such a tough decision, but the safety of all you guys, the families, kids, and our working staff has to be of paramount importance.
The campsites will remain open tonight if you want to continue with your Camp Bestival stay regardless of the conditions. Thank you so much for coming and please get home safely.’
A festival goer walks in the wind and rain at Camp Bestival, at Lulworth Castle near East Lulworth on Sunday
Festival goers pack up their tents in the wind and the rain at Camp Bestival, at Lulworth Castle