Eighties ska band Bad Manners have landed councillors in trouble after playing too loud at a music festival.

Bognor Regis Town Council has accepted a formal caution over breaching licensing conditions during Bognor Live 2003.

Officers at Adur District Council received a number of complaints as the ska group, fronted by 30st singer Buster Bloodvessel, closed the festival on August 10 with a rendition of their hit My Girl Lollipop.

On both nights the event overran by more than 20 minutes and exceeded permitted decibel limits.

The town council had been warned it faced prosecution if it was unwilling to accept the caution.

A joint statement from the town and district councils read: "The huge, happy and good-natured crowds were enjoying the show so much that the organisers, led by officers and elected members of the town council, decided to allow the performers to finish their acts rather than cut the encores and anger the crowd."

Bognor mayor Francis Oppler said: "The crowds were so enjoying the show on a delightfully warm summer night and we hoped everyone would understand if it overran a bit."

Adur's licensing committee chairman, Councillor Paul Wotherspoon, said: "Organisers of events must realise that if they are granted a licence with certain restrictions, they must conform to them."