Presteigne's Sheep Music Festival is to graze Wentes Meadow no more.

Festival director Pete Smith has announced its closure.

"It has been decided that the festival has reached a natural conclusion and rather than drift into a formula event with high ticket prices and low community cultural involvement it would be better to wind the festival up," he said.

The celebration of world music took root in the border land 14 years ago and has battled with opposition from locals and a new breed of people coming to the festival - both problems which Pete dismissed as 'small'.

Its appeal was predominantly local - unlike the new festivals which have arrived in more recent years - and it will be missed.

"There is no doubt that Sheep Music will live on in the hearts and minds of all those who either worked on the event or attended as a visitor," Pete said.

"As things stand it's the end of Sheep Music as we know it although there's nothing to say it won't happen again.

"We have good credibility and money in the bank and the decision has been amicable.

"The committee feels it has done everything we can do with it, the last festival was stunningly brilliant and we were very happy with it.

"The youth of the town may overrule the decision at the AGM. Now's the time to stand up or let it slide."