MUSIC festival bosses have revealed that 367 people purchased last-minute tickets to their event after complaining they did not receive the tickets they bought from a Brighton teenager.

Sussex Police have received more than 60 calls from people who claimed they paid £100 for tickets they did not get and officers are appealing for further victims to come forward after arresting Ben Hyland-Ward on Friday on suspicion of fraud by false representation.

The disappointed music fans said they had then been assured that their names would be put on a guest list by “someone high up” among the organisers and would be guaranteed entry.

Bestival organisers categorically rejected the claim in The Argus last Tuesday, and music-lovers were warned not to arrive without tickets - which cost £195 at the normal price.

A Bestival spokesman told The Argus: "No list was exchanged and no offer of free entry was made."

Bestival created a hotline through which affected parties could purchase tickets for the sold-out event by providing a crime number from Sussex Police.

Unfortunately not everyone got this message though and many turned up without tickets.

On the opening day of the festival Charles Keenan Tan posted on the “Stresstival” Facebook group that he was outside the gate and could not find the person he was hoping to see to gain entry.

His friend Josh Bowers replied: “Mate same here. I’m gutted. I’m camping on a verge by the main gate - if you head over I’m the guy playing Wonderwall in the straw hat.”

Josh later added: “My tent keeps getting kicked and my guitar strings broke too so all in all a bad day. Heading home tomorrow, going to watch it on TV instead.”

Anyone who bought tickets and did not receive them but has not reported the matter to the police are asked to go to the link www.sussex.police.uk/whats-happening/bestival-fraud and fill out the online form.

MUSIC festival bosses have revealed that 367 people purchased last-minute tickets to their event after complaining they did not receive the tickets they bought from a Brighton teenager.

Sussex Police have received more than 60 calls from people who paid £100 for tickets they did not get and officers are appealing for further victims to come forward after arresting Ben Hyland-Ward on Friday on suspicion of fraud by false representation.

The 18-year-old has refused to speak to The Argus, but last Monday told a Facebook group comprised of 800 affected local teens that he had spoken to “someone really high up” in the Bestival organisation to guarantee them entry.

He claimed that a John Hughes had created a guest list based on the names of Hyland-Ward’s customers - who had paid £100 for tickets which never materialised - and that those affected would be allowed entry.

Bestival organisers categorically refuted the claim in The Argus last Tuesday, and music-lovers were warned not to arrive without tickets - which cost £195 at the normal price.

A Bestival spokesman told The Argus: "A Bestival promoter made contact with Ben, no list was exchanged and no offer of free entry was made."

Bestival created a hotline through which affected parties could purchase tickets for the sold-out event by providing a crime number from Sussex Police.

Unfortunately not everyone got this message though and turned up without tickets.

On the opening day of the festival Charles Keenan Tan posted on the “Stresstival” Facebook group: “I’m outside the gate, apparently there’s no John Hughes and they don’t have my email?”

His friend Josh Bowers replied: “Mate same here. I’m gutted. I’m camping on a verge by the main gate - if you head over I’m the guy playing wonderwall in the straw hat.”

Josh later added: “My tent keeps getting kicked and my guitar strings broke too so all in all a bad day. Heading home tomorrow, going to watch it on TV instead.”

But others have jumped to Mr Hyland-Ward’s defence, saying he fully expected to get the tickets to pass on to his customers.

Anyone who bought tickets and did not receive them but has not reported the matter to the police are asked to go to the link www.sussex.police.uk/whats-happening/bestival-fraud and fill out the online form.