A POPULAR music festival will not be returning this year.

Brighton City Airport at Shoreham has released a statement this morning saying the event is taking a year off because key organisers and performers Disclosure and Rudimental are recording new albums.

The statement said: "The event has proven a fantastic success and working with the event organisers, SJM Concerts, over the last three years been an absolute pleasure.

"We hope Disclosure and Rudimental bring the event back in 2019 but in the meantime, we’d like to formally thank everyone for being part of the event.

"The concert was the first of its kind for a licensed airport and it has enabled us to reach out to a completely new audience.

"Wild Life’s successful launch in 2014 was brought about by a great team effort and we are grateful to our airport team, the organisers, the council, airport businesses and local community for giving the event the opportunity it deserved."

Managing director  Jonathan Candelon said: “ It is sad to hear that we will not be having the biggest and best party in town on our back garden this year but hopefully we will the year after.

"Thank you to all of you that have supported us for this event, because without you it could not have happened.

"We would like to thank everyone that has been part of the event and being part of its success over the years and we look forward to 2019 when the event will hopefully return."