A major musical extravaganza in Shropshire has been axed just days before it was due to take place.

Organisers of the Memories of Woodstock festival at the West Mid Showground this Friday, Saturday and Sunday have pulled the plug.

At the weekend it emerged Jethro Tull had become the latest act to confirm they would not be appearing. Days earlier other acts, including announced they would not be appearing.

Asia, Uriah Heep, Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash and Focus said they were not performing due to a dispute over payment of appearance fees.

Promoter Brian Davies, of New Dawn Events, was unavailable for comment today, but in a statement posted on his website he said: “It’s with a very heavy and sad heart that due to certain people telling blatant lies these festivals have been cancelled.

“It is a sad case of affairs when people think of money before love and peace.”

The cancellation of the show has sparked a bitter row between Mr Davies and some of the acts who were due to appear.

In an open letter to Mr Davies, Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, says: “Sadly, and rather angrily, I have to acknowledge your effective cancellation of our appearance at the Memories of Woodstock Festival on August 9.

“As you are all too aware, most of the headline name acts have already cancelled in the last few weeks.

“I utterly deplore your tactics in forcing us to accept the cancellation at this late date and that you are short-changing the ticket-buyers. Shame on you.”

“We have held on, in good faith and against better judgement, in the trust that you would find the additional festival funding you have maintained was forthcoming, in time to go ahead with at least some of the originally-advertised headline acts, including us.

“Your comment suggesting over-charging by bands is strongly resented.

For refunds call 0845 0508252.

By Tom Johannsen