Poole Pride: Concert axed over lack of headline act

The first Poole Pride is being hosted at the town's Lighthouse on 8 June

Organisers of Poole Pride say they have been forced to cancel the evening concert as they have been unable to find a replacement headline act.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor pulled out of the town's first Pride event in February.

Arts centre Lighthouse said it had made the "difficult decision" as it had not been possible to secure a suitable replacement for the singer.

The event - featuring a film festival, performances and music - is still taking place on 8 June at the venue.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor had originally been scheduled to appear at the Pride event

The arts theatre said concert ticket holders had been contacted.

"The day was due to culminate in a late-night party in our concert hall, but since the contracted headliner pulled out, it has not been possible to secure a suitable replacement," the event's organisers said.

"Despite the guarantee of a stellar support bill, it's clear that advance sales are not sufficient to be sure of creating the fantastic experience audiences rightly expect.

"Therefore, the difficult decision has been taken that the evening concert at Lighthouse cannot go ahead as planned."

Lighthouse added most of the other artists booked for the evening concert will now appear at Bournemouth's Bourne Free's event in Meyrick Park on Saturday 6 July.

Bimini, Horse Meat Disco, Woody Cook, DJ Charlotte Devaney and Ellie Sax had been set to perform.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2240.