Fatboy Slim's Big Beach Boutique 2004 has been cancelled.

DJ Norman Cook has pulled the plug on this year's free party, which he hoped would avoid the chaos of Normstock 2002 when 250,000 people overwhelmed Brighton and Hove.

Talks with police, safety officials at Brighton and Hove City Council and rail operator South Central have ended because there was not enough time left.

A spokesman for the DJ's management company said: "After several months of discussion with the local authority, police and emergency services, it has been reluctantly agreed by all involved there is not yet sufficient transport infrastructure in place to deal with the large number of people that would undoubtedly wish to attend the event.

"Without this key part of the event plan, it was felt unwise to hold the event this year."

Norman hoped the party would be held in July on the beach near Madeira Drive.

It was to be ticketed and for Brighton and Hove residents only and private security guards were to be employed to ensure the beach was kept glass-free.

Garry Blackburn, Fatboy Slim's manager and organiser of the DJ's sensational beach concert in Rio last month, said: "Everybody really tried hard to make it work this year after the success of Rio but it wasn't to be.

"We hope the transport infrastructure will be in place soon so that events like this can take place in Brighton in future years. Here's to 2005."

A council spokesman said: "The organisers have clearly learned a great deal from the last show in Brighton in 2002 and offered imaginative and well thought-through ideas for restricting numbers.

"We have a very good record of organising large events such as the 60,000-strong Party In The Park and 90,000 people at Pride. However, a Fatboy Slim event in a fenced-off area on Madeira Drive is entirely new.

"Emergency services have raised a number of legitimate concerns which simply cannot be ignored. These centre on the possibility more than 75,000 people might try to attend.

"It has not been possible to address these concerns in sufficient detail to enable the show to proceed this year.

"Should the organisers wish to apply for a show in 2005 the council would welcome a proposal and be happy to initiate talks with a view to resolving any concerns in plenty of time."

Two years ago, 250,000 crammed Brighton beach for the legendary free gig which brought the city to the brink of meltdown.