Organisers have reassured music fans tickets for a festival are still available after people were told it had sold out.

Staff at Hastings Tourist Information Centre wrongly told customers all the tickets for the 19th Black Horse Music Festival had been snapped up.

The festival takes place at The Black Horse Inn at Telham, between Hastings and Battle, from Friday, May 25, to Monday, May 28. None of the days have sold out.

The mix-up occurred because people have been asking tourist centre staff for tickets to see certain bands instead of asking to buy a day ticket.

When staff looked on the computers, they could not find the individual gig tickets so assumed they had sold out.

Festival organiser John Shotton said: "Unfortunately people were told they couldn't get tickets.

"They would ask for tickets to see Waterson-Carthy but were told they had all gone.

"It is part of an all-day ticket and staff who tried to look for specific tickets couldn't find them."

The opening night sees rock 'n' rollers The Blockheads and former Blockhead Wilko Johnson dominate the line-up.

Waterson-Carthy featuring Martin Carthy, Norma Waterson, Eliza Carthy and Saul Rose will headline on Saturday. Other folk bands will appear including The Fold, Waking The Witch and Queensberry Rules.

Sunday is world music day and features Bakabeyond, Daby Toure, Osibisa and Boum.

Local bands will perform on bank holiday Monday. Natalie's Box, Intraverse, Barrier Dutch, Safe 13, Youngplan and Mumm-Ra will share the stage.

Mr Shotton said: "We have people come from as far as Australia.

"It is unlike others festivals because we can only accommodate 1,000 people which means an intimate atmosphere."

Tickets are available online at www.blackhorsemusicfestival.org.uk, from Hastings and Battle Tourist Information Centres, The Black Horse Inn at Telham or by calling 01424 781111.