See updates below.

ORGANISERS of Colchester’s I Am Music festival have announced the event is cancelled.

The festival was due to be held in Castle Park on Saturday.

Organisers made the announcement on Twitter this evening.

Yesterday indie rock band Scouting for Girls, who were due to play, revealed they would not be performing but no one from I Am Music was available to comment.

Wiley, Next of Kin, Sam Callahan and Conor Maynard were due to perform at the event.

UPDATE 4.30pm Monday

I Am Music have now released information on ticket refunds.

On their website they posted:

"Due to the postponement of the I Am Music Festival 2014 ticket holders can choose to obtain a refund or transfer their tickets forward to the new event date.

"The organisers are working hard to reschedule the event and ensure that the performers have the opportunity to shine and be stars.  

"Please follow the instructions below to obtain a refund or transfer:

Tickets purchased via the website:

1) Send an email to: iamusicorg@gmail.com, subject title: Ticket refund / ticket move forward
2) Tell us all ticket numbers purchased (list each number separately)
3) Tell us that you purchased your ticket via the website
4) Tell us your confirmation of sale reference number

Tickets purchased via a dance school:
1) Send an email to: iamusicorg@gmail.com, subject title: Ticket refund / ticket move forward

2) Tell us all ticket numbers purchased (list each number separately)
3) Tell us where you purchased your ticket(s)
4) Tell us your full name

Tickets purchased at Sainsburys:

1) Send an email to: iamusicorg@gmail.com, subject title: Ticket refund / ticket move forward
2) Tell us all ticket numbers purchased (list each number separately)
3) Tell us that you purchased your ticket at Sainsburys
4) Tell us your full name and postal address

Charity / other cash sales:

1) Send an email to: iamusicorg@gmail.com, subject title: Ticket refund / ticket move forward
2) Tell us all ticket numbers purchased (list each number separately)
3) Tell us where you purchased your ticket
4) Tell us your full name and postal address

Thank you for your support. We look forward to welcoming you to the rescheduled event. 

For more information visit the website at www.iamusic.org/

UPDATED 2.40pm Monday

I Am Music have released another statement about the festival, which was due to be held on Saturday.

It reads: "It is with much regret that the I Am Music Festival 2014 scheduled for 26th July 2014 in Castle Park, Colchester, was postponed by Colchester Borough Council less than 48 hours before the event was due to take place. 

"Unyime Udo and fellow directors wish to make the following statement on behalf of I Am Music Community Group, the organisers of the Festival.

"I Am Music is a grassroots organisation consisting of young people who love music and dance.

"The festival was created to give a stage for the many talented children, young people and artists who we have the honour of working with.

"Throughout the planning process for the festival we worked closely with the council and engaged, on the council's recommendation, a Health and Safety consultant approved by the council to advise on all matters concerned with health and safety.

"Despite providing all requested information and assessments, and giving assurances to the council of appropriate agreements with suppliers for the provision of fencing, emergency lighting and toilets, the council representatives were not willing to accept the plans and engage with us further to keep the event on track.

"Our deepest concern and sadness is for the young performers who have been left disappointed by the postponement of this event after many months of rehearsals and our hearts go out to them.

"We are working hard to find a new date and venue urgently in order to bring this festival back to life and give the young people the chance to shine and star on the stage.

"Ticket holders who purchased their tickets through the website can obtain a refund or transfer to the new event date, when announced, via the I Am Music website.

"Full terms and conditions of refund and transfers are given on the website.

"Ticket holders who purchased through a school or other cash option will be refunded directly through the original point of payment."

UPDATE Friday 5pm

Statement from I Am Music:

"In spite of the various messages that you may have seen in the media, I AM MUSIC Community Group would like to inform you that the community event scheduled for Saturday 26th July 2014 at Castle Park Colchester has been postponed  due to circumstances beyond our control. 

"We sincerely apologise for what has happened and the inconveniences this has caused you.

"Once a new date has been confirmed we will provide full details.

"Any tickets previously purchased will be accepted under the same terms and conditions.

"For further information on ticket transfers and ticket refunds please read our terms and conditions via the website."

UPDATE Friday 3.15pm

A Colchester Council spokesman said: “After emergency talks with police and organisers last night, Colchester Council has withdrawn the use of Castle Park as the venue for the I Am Music festival, which was due to take place on Saturday.

"This was on the grounds of serious health and safety issues and police advice that this would not be a safe event from a crime and disorder perspective.

“The organisers of the festival were given a substantial amount to time to arrange the event and put in place the safety features required for a festival of this magnitude.

“Even though the organisers had the support of the Safety Advisory Group, who have been trying to resolve a variety of their issues for some time, they have been unable to meet the criteria of providing a safe event.

“The problems involve security and safety regulations including inadequate or no provision for emergency lighting, toilets on site, security staff and security fencing (which in turn means the stage can not be assembled), with no evidence provided to mitigate any individual issue.

"Therefore, failing to provide proof that public welfare and safety measures agreed during the event planning process would be delivered or had been organised.

“Subsequently, the Council and Police have agreed the festival is not safe to go ahead.”

UPDATE 10.30am

Tim Young, Colchester Council safety boss, said: "We weren't confident that the event could be held safely and there were concerns from Essex Police as well.

"They could not give us the assurances that we needed.

"People will be disappointed, but we can't allow something to go ahead which may not be safe and which we do not have assurances over." 

UPDATE 9.45am

Colchester Council has confirmed the event was pulled due to health and safety concerns.

Share your thoughts on the announcement by emailing zoe.forsey@nqe.com.