Brighton's Preston Park turned into quagmire by Foodies Festival goers

Preston Park has been turned into a “quagmire” of mud as heavy rain and thousands of people attending Foodies Festival churned up the field over the bank holiday.

Residents have now fumed that they will not be able to use the field for weeks due to the mud – and have called for the festival organisers to pay to repair the damages.

One resident said: “The largest part of Preston Park is a quagmire. Do the organisers pay to re-establish the grass or will it remain ghastly for the rest of the year?”

Another added: “Lots of people use the park to play sports or walk their dogs but it is in such a state that people will be put off.

Mud at preston park (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

“There’s obviously nothing these events can do about the rain but surely there must be a way to protect the land from all this damage.”

Foodies Festival saw thousands of people descend on Preston Park for food and music from the likes of Scouting for Girls and Sister Sledge.

However, heavy rain on Bank Holiday Monday saw the field churned up into mud.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said they were disappointed by the damage but that the damage to Preston Park would be rectified.

Councillor Tim Rowkins, chair of the Environment, South Downs and The Sea committee, said: “We’re disappointed with the impact on the grass following a recent event in Preston Park and understand residents want the park back to its best as quickly as possible.

“Our team has been on site today assessing the damage and early assessments suggest it is very surface level and will be easily rectified.

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“To limit further disruption the event is taking slightly longer to clear up, and there will also be additional litter sweeps tomorrow.

Preston Park damaged (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

“We will begin reinstatement works as soon as possible and all costs associated with restoring the park to how it looked before the event will be charged directly to the organisers.”

A spokeswoman for Foodies Festival said: "Heavy rain at the festival made the site muddier than anticipated. Crew were still on the site today completing the de-rig with caution.

"We understand the concerns of local residents, and are always happy to work with the council to make good. We are confident that the area affected will be enjoyed by visitors soon."