A MUSIC festival which hoped to raise cash to help a blind girl see has been cancelled.

The Essex Family Festival had been organised over the bank holiday weekend with some of the cash raised going towards paying for a pioneering operation for Amy Jarrett.

But it has now been cancelled, despite nearly 17,000 tickets being sold, after organiser Chris Sussex was told the venue did not have a licence for the show.

Amy, aged eight, of Rochford Road, Southend, was born with a rare brain disorder called septo optic dysplasia, which means she is completely blind. Her parents are trying to raise £35,000 for treatment in China and have been holding a series of fundraisers to get the cash.

Mum Michelle hoped the gig would have raised thousands of pounds.

She said: “This is devastating news. We didn’t know what to expect from it, but we were told there were 2,000 to 4,000 people going. We are getting really close now if we want to send Amy to hospital in November.”

The festival was due to be held at Steeple Bay Holiday Park, but park owners Park Holidays UK said they have played no part in its organisation.

Director Tony Clish said anyone turning up to the park for the festival will be turned away.

He said: “Steeple Bay is a family-friendly park which offers traditional holiday attractions, and that’s exactly how it will remain during the August bank holiday weekend.

“This type of event would be completely inconsistent with our family-focused policies, and is certainly incompatible with how our guests like to enjoy their stays.

“A festival on this scale would be contrary to the terms of the licence under which the park operates, and the police have already expressed their concern.

“We are sorry, but anyone who does turn up will have had a completely wasted journey.”