FESTIVAL-goers have hit out at the organisation of a local music event.

The SX Festival, held last weekend at Tabors Farm, in Shopland Road, Rochford, attracted 6,000 revellers who could see performances on five stages ranging from folk to drum and bass.

But some people have contacted the Echo and the event’s organisers to complain.

Robert Smith, who attended the festival on Sunday, has written a letter of complaint to the organisers. In it he said: “May I start by informing you I have attended many festivals over the years including Glastonbury, V Festival, SW4, the Big Chill, Get Loaded In the Park, but was drawn to the SX Festival, as it is very local to me, and your marketing of the event as a “family festival” appealed to me and my young family.

“There was no merry-go-round as advertised.

“Many acts didn’t turn up, there was a lack of seating and terrible access to children’s field via a dusty, broken bricked path.

“I spoke to many, many patrons and stallholders alike, all of whom were unhappy with what was on offer. Even more so, when you consider I paid £95 for the privilege.”

Several other attendees have commented on the Echo website about the event.

Organiser Jackie Lackenby, 36, admitted there had been some mistakes.

She said: “I was let down by a couple of people who said they would do various things for me, like stage manage and litter pick.

“I was the sole organiser of the festival. It was a big task to take on. It was my first festival and there are lessons to be learnt.

“It is a massive task for one person to take on.

“You are going to get negative comments about things. There are a few bands I need to apologise to because the stage manager went early.

“One of the things I did wrong was to try and do two bands an hour. I should have done two bands every hour-and-a-half – it was a learning curve.”

Despite the complaints, Ms Lackenby said she had also received lots of positive comments.

She added: “I have had so many e-mails from people saying thank you, and lots of people said they had a really good time.

“Considering there were 6,000 people over the weekend, I am not really going to worry about a few people.”