ORGANISERS of Oktoberfest are being asked to foot the bill after leaving mud tracks across Colchester’s award-winning Castle Park.

The Bavarian-style beer festival was held at the beauty spot on Saturday.

Thousands of revellers attended the event staged in a marquee but residents were not celebrating after seeing the state of the park the next day.

Green party councillor Mark Goacher spoke to Colchester Council after receiving a string of complaints.

He shared photographs taken of Lower Castle Park which show the grass churned up where large vehicles have driven through in wet weather.

Mr Goacher said: “I went down there to take some photos as residents were obviously concerned.

“The council said it would make the promoters pay the cost of putting it right.

“It was terrible, it must have been because of the rain.

“I have no problem with it being used for concerts or events, but they must take into consideration leaving the park as they found it and the concerns of residents.

“They could have put plastic mats down, it’s about due care and attention.”

A 90s music event was also held at the park the day before Oktoberfest.

A Colchester Council spokesman said: “Over the weekend more than 6,000 people attended the Oktoberfest and 90s music events in Lower Castle Park.

“The wet weather conditions were challenging and unfortunately the volume of foot and vehicular traffic caused damage to the grass areas in Lower Castle Park.

“We’re now working with Colchester Events Company and the promoter to repair the damage once the ground has dried out and to prevent this happening again in the future.

“The repair works will be carried out at no cost to the council.

“The park will then be prepared for the annual fireworks event on Tuesday.”

We contacted Oktoberfest organisers for a comment but they did not reply at the time of going to press.