Sussex chief executive Zac Toumazi insists there is still a future for the Horsham festival.

The county confirmed yesterday it will not stage any games at Cricketfield Road next season due to financial reasons.

It will be only the second time since 1982 Horsham has not hosted any Sussex fixtures with Toumazi admitting he made the decision to axe the festival with a “heavy heart”.

And he hopes the absence of the popular outground on the itinerary next summer will act as a wake-up call to local businesses and the community as a whole to ensure it returns in 2017.

Toumazi said: “It is really, really disappointing but it doesn’t mean we have given up on it. The decision was made with a heavy heart but we will continue to work hard to try to put something together so we can return to Horsham next season.

“Two years ago we warned the festival was under threat and an anonymous benefactor came forward to save it. However, we cannot rely on one individual again so the hope is that the business community and council will realise the value of the festival.

“Hopefully it will act as a wake up call. Maybe the reality will hit home now and we won’t be in the same position next year.”

Sussex will continue to play at Arundel Castle next season after a sponsor was found to offset the £30,000 cost of playing at an outground but there was “minimal interest” from businesses and the local council in regards to Horsham.

He added: “We have been pretty consistent with our message over the last three years. We would have loved to have kept two festivals but only if they are financially viable as I have to protect the future of Sussex cricket.

“The last major sponsor we had for Horsham was in 2011 which puts it into context. I worked right up until the last minute trying to find someone but sometimes you have to accept defeat.

“But we will keep trying as it means too much to both the club and cricket in Sussex in general not to.”

If we felt there was no value in playing at Horsham we would have kicked it into touch three years ago but that is certainly not the case.”