A charity festival organised in memory of a pub landlord is being cancelled because council bosses have banned beer.

It was hoped the weekend bash, dedicated to popular publican Jim McSpirit, would have raised thousands of pounds and more than 400 people were expected to take part.

But organisers said today it cannot go ahead after Worthing Borough Council slapped a ban on a beer tent.

The event, planned for the council-owned Beach House grounds, off Brighton Road, in August, was to have included a children's funfair, an It's a Knockout competition, 30 stalls and a dog show.

Organiser Judi Walker, 43, of Dawes Close, Worthing, said: "I have now been informed that because the council is trying to ban the drinking of alcohol in any part of Worthing in a public place, I cannot get a licence for a beer tent at any venue.

"This is now a huge problem for me as I have already organised a sponsored walk incorporating over 300 people, and the last thing they will want to do is finish the walk and toast Jim McSpirit with Diet Coke or Sprite."

Mr McSpirit, who worked at The Rivoli, in Teville Gate, died just before Christmas. His widow, Stacey, owns and runs the Paws Animal Sanctuary, in The Oval, Findon Village, and all proceeds would have been donated to the charity.

Mrs Walker, who is unemployed at lives off state benefits, has already paid out more than £500 on organising the event.

She has begged the council to reconsider and said: "I think they are not only being stick-in-the-muds, but they are being very narrow minded.

"I'm out of pocket, we're out of a venue and the council is just out of their minds. The public are already up in arms about it."

A by-law passed before Christmas prohibits drinking in public in Worthing town centre, but the ban does not extend to open-air venues further afield.

But John Thorpe, assistant director of leisure and cultural services, said: "Quite clearly the council has a need, and is working with police, to minimise the problems caused by drinking in the town centre.

"Although the council, as owners of the open space, could allow her to have beer there, it would run counter to what we are trying to achieve elsewhere.

"There are hundreds of pubs in the town and other licences premises where she could hold this event."

But Mrs Walker said: "We don't want it in a pub. We want an open-air event where we can raise money for charity and not have to worry about licencing hours."

Mrs McSpirit said: "The festival wouldn't have made money without a beer tent."