Organisers of an open air cinema screening on a Broadstairs beach appear to have bitten off more than they could chew as this Saturday's viewing of Jaws has been cancelled.

According to The Open Air Cinema's Facebook page more than 1,000 people were set to arrive at Joss Bay for the film starting at 7.30pm.

But police objected to the screening and organisers are looking to find a new date to show the film.

Kent Police spokesman Scarlet Jones said: "The priority for Kent Police is to ensure public safety and reduce the risks of crime and disorder. We often work with event organisers and local authorities to advise on these matters.

"We are very supportive of the wide range of vibrant events held in Thanet, and have a duty to ensure that such events are planned and managed appropriately to maximise the safety of all those who attend them and to minimise any negative impact on the surrounding community and residents.

"On this occasion police felt unable to support this temporary events notice due to concerns about the potential risk of capacity being exceeded."

A statement on Open Air Cinema's Facebook page said: "The event was supposed to be to say thank you for backing the event.

"However many of the 1K who said that they would attend did not support the event. Due to not hitting our target we could not afford to have the 20+ members of staff etc to manage an event of that size. We were concerned about who would turn up and so much so the police mirrored our own concerns.

"Although it is disappointing they are 100% right to do so and we thank them and Thanet DC for their support. We have learnt a lot and have applied for another date."

Jaws was released in 1975 and was one of director Steven Spielberg's first feature films.