Up and coming musicians received a blow after the Hop Farm Music Festival cancelled a stage dedicated to new performers.

In a late change organisers of the three-day event, which is being held in Paddock Wood this weekend, have had to pull the plug on the Rising Talent stage after problems with the company providing the structure.

Fresh from Glastonbury, Sevenoaks musician Dan Clews is preparing to take to the Second Stage on Friday.

The artist was originally billed to perform on the Rising Talent stage but managed to negotiate another slot when it was cancelled.

The 34-year-old said: “It is a bit of a shame. The stage I’m playing now is bigger so it has worked out well for me but it is pretty disappointing for the other bands. I feel for them and tried to argue their corner to get a few of them on another stage.”

On his upcoming performance he said: “I’ve done a few big shows now so I feel I’m prepared for it. It is going to be great.”

Coco and the Butterfields are among the bands which have confirmed they will no longer be performing but it is not yet known how many acts have been affected.

The stage is designed to foster upcoming talent from the local area, who were billed alongside music heavyweights including Beach Boy Brian Wilson and Grace Jones.

A festival spokesman said: “Unfortunately we have had to cancel the stage as the company that were providing the structure pulled out and we couldn’t find a suitable replacement in time.

"We are very upset about this and apologies to anyone that was meant to be appearing on the stage. We hope for it to return next year.”

The Hop Farm Music Festival is at the Hop Farm, near Paddock Wood, from Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6. Tickets range from £68 -£135 from 0845 0756101 or www.thehopfarmmusicfestival.com