Rock in the Dell in Chepstow will not be going ahead this year because of financial difficulties and problems with new licensing laws.

The much-loved event in Chepstow which the Free Press has often supported is suffering from spiralling costs of security, policing and insurance, forcing it to be postponed until 2007.

Rock in the Dell committee member Tim Ryan said: "The cost of putting on the event is £11,500 which is quite substantial."

The event started as a brainwave of Carol Mutlow of Hannah's Music store in Chepstow who wanted an event for the people of the town. The first event took place in 2001 and it is held at Chepstow's Castle Dell on Welsh Street.

It is organised by a committee of ten people and has benefited from a number of grants from Monmouthshire county council.

As well as local music talent, the concert also includes street entertainers, various stalls, children's fun rides, face painting and a barbecue.

Carol Mutlow said: "We need new blood in the committee for it to go ahead next year with new ideas. Last year the audience seemed to attract a younger crowd and although this is great, it also caused problems with under-age drinking which will lead to problems if we did hold it this year because of new licensing laws."

Committee member Dave Carter said: "The festival reached a peak in 2004 but last year seemed staid.

"The audience numbers were reduced, leaving the festival in debt and only the profit from the previous year kept us afloat.

"That's how tenuous keeping the whole event going is."

Rock in the dell has become an annual event and the Free Press has always supported it. It brings people and their money into the town and it is hoped that the concert will be back stronger than ever next year.

Carol Mutlow insisted that the concert would return and she said: "We are simply seeing this as a year off to re-group and start the concert up again next year."