'Olympics' cancel The Big Chill festival, says boss

Kanye West headlined Herefordshire festival The Big Chill in 2011

This year's Big Chill Festival has been cancelled, with organisers saying the London Olympics has impacted on "artist availability" for the event.

Bosses said they considered moving the Herefordshire weekender, but that an alternative date couldn't be found.

Festival director Melvin Benn admitted the festival was struggling to book the acts he wanted.

"Confirmations we were achieving led me to conclude that I couldn't risk going ahead with the event," he said.

With 'regret'

A statement from the organiser said the decision to take a year off was made with "a considerable amount of regret" but added that a "smaller event indoors" could replace the three-day event in 2012.

He said the plan was for the event to return outdoors in 2013.

General ticket details and the line-up had yet to be announced for this year's festival.

Last year The Big Chill was headlined by The Chemical Brothers, Kanye West and Rodrigo y Gabriela.

It also featured performances from Jessie J, Calvin Harris and Katy B.

The Big Chill has been going since 1994 and has been held in the grounds of Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire.