A pagan festival has been refused a council grant to erect a medieval-style tent.

The plans may now have to be scrapped after organisers were told a funding request did not meet requirements.

Jerry Bird, organiser of the Lammas Festival, due to take place in Eastbourne in August, said: "Obviously this is a disappointment to us.

"The tent was to be used for children's activities and storytelling on the day and we would have been happy to lend it to any other community groups for their events throughout the year."

Mr Bird, a member of the Pagan Circle, had applied for money from the borough council to meet half the cost of buying the tent.

But he vowed the festival would still go ahead despite the setback.

A council spokesman said individual funding applications could not be discussed.

Mr Bird said festival organisers hoped someone would donate a tent in time.

He said: "Unless a generous benefactor comes along we will not be able to go ahead with the purchase."

The festival went ahead last year despite the disapproval of the council.

Plans for this year's festival, planned for August 3, have been submitted to the council's tourism department.

To contact Mr Bird, call the Green Man Bookshop and Gallery on 01323 735364.