THE Calne Beer Festival has been cancelled this year but organiser Malcolm Shipp promises it will return bigger and better next year.

The three-day festival was to take part this weekend for the second year running to raise money for Hilmarton School.

Mr Shipp, the managing director of Nursery Brewing Co and Shipping Beer, said: "It is very disappointing but with the school term starting again there was not enough time for everyone to sort things out."

"But next year it will be a much bigger event and I am funding it myself," he said.

Mr Shipp said he would spend more money on promotion next year and bring in some bigger bands.

"It will be held next July and we will have the whole lot with big marquees and live bands. It will be one hell of a night," he said.

Although he will fund the event himself, Mr Shipp said he will still be donating money raised from the event to the school.