FOLLOWING discussions with Gloucestershire Police and Stroud District Council, tonight's (Sunday) Block Party has been cancelled.

The popular DJ event at Stroud Fringe Festival drew bumper crowds to Fawkes Place last night and organisers have decided to pull the plug for crowd safety reasons.

Block Party spokesman Neil Wilson said: "Unfortunately, there will be no Block Party this evening.

"Many, many more people arrived at the site last night than we could accommodate safely and we have decided following discussion with the police, security and the district council that there could be a real danger if we go ahead.

"We know this will be a huge disappointment to everyone, but we can't take the risk of anyone getting hurt.

"I want to say a big thanks to everyone who came out to party with us last night, We hope you had an amazing time."

"We'll take time to reflect on how we can deliver another event safely. In the meantime please enjoy the rest of the Stroud Fringe."

Stroud News and Journal:

Above - Last night's Block Party in Fawkes Place, Picture by Ben Hirst

Fans of Block Party will be able to attend their ticketed after party at the Subscription Rooms this evening.

However, tickets can only be purchased online in advance and cannot be bought on the door.

The popular event had been moved from the Merrywalks loading bay - where it was situated for its first two years - to allow for further attendance after increased popularity.

An official spokesman for Stroud Fringe said that the "wonderful Block Party Stage" had become a "victim of its own success."

Organisers came to the tough decision to pull the event stating that "the safety of the people of Stroud is our numer one priority," and aim to bring back the event next year - with safety improvements.

“We’ve had record crowds at this year’s Fringe, and while we’re delighted that this year’s event has been so popular, our wonderful Block Party stage has become a victim of its own success," a spokesman said.

“Many, many more people arrived at the Block Party last night than we could accommodate safely.

"The Block Party organisers, on advice from the police, our security firm, Stroud District Council and with the support of the Fringe directors, have concluded that there could be a real risk to festival-goers and staff if we go ahead with the stage today.

“We know this will be a huge disappointment to everyone, but the safety of the people of Stroud is our number one priority, and we can't take the risk of anyone getting hurt.

“We want to bring Block Party back in the future, and we will be looking at how to do that safely.

"In the meantime, the rest of the Fringe continues in full swing, with all other outdoor stages and indoor venues open as planned, and a terrific procession due to start at 3pm.”