ORGANISERS of an ever-popular music festival have announced it will be no more.

The 2019 Richmond Live was the last ever event, due to the cost of staging the festival, and amid concerns over the sustainability of the venue on the Batts in Richmond.

This year’s show was described by the team behind the event as the “biggest and best ever”.

However, volunteers had to battle to ensure the festival went ahead after flood water washed over the Batts just days before the event.

Organisers say it cost £75,000 to put on this year’s festival, and they barely broke even.

In a statement organised said: “Unfortunately, that is just not sustainable given that it is us, the members of the Richmond Live Team, who ultimately bear the financial responsibility.

“It’s just become too expensive to continue. There is also the question of the sustainability of the venue.

“The Batts is one of the most beautiful areas in our town. With the backdrop of the castle, it is a wonderful place to hold a celebration of live music. But it is next to the fastest flowing river in England and prone to flooding.

"The rapid rise event that we experienced this year was small in comparison to some that have happened in the past, but it threatened us financially and threatened the safety of those working on the site.

“With what we know about climate change we can only conclude that those events will become more frequent and more dangerous.

“The Batts has been our home for 21 years and we have no heart to use another venue. It is for those reasons that we have decided to bring a close to 21 years of Richmond Live.”