Festival organisers have backed down over plans to bar revellers from leaving the site when they want to.

Businesses and residents in Lewes launched a campaign after discovering the Gentlemen of the Road festival, headlined by Mumford and Sons, would have a no re-admissions policy.

Organisers said the move was standard procedure because of the need to keep controls over numbers.

However after the story appeared in The Argus, and a flurry of emails from disap- pointed residents, they have changed their minds.

Some residents had already been asking for refunds because they had hoped they would be able to leave the site, go home and then return when they wanted to.

Lewes businesses, including pubs and restaurants, also felt they would miss out on extra trade if visitors had to stay within the festival grounds.

A spokesman for the festival organisers said: “Following exhaustive discussions with partner agencies, Gentlemen of the Road and production staff are pleased to announce that they will be implementing a reconfiguration of the festival site which will now allow re-admission for all festival goers at the Gentlemen of the Road Stopover show in Lewes this July.

“Gentlemen of the Road hope that everyone will now be able to look forward to this event as much as we are all anticipating being there, and ensuring the smooth running of these shows.”

Tony Leonard, landlord of the Snowdrop Inn pub, had been a vocal opponent of the plans.

He said: “This is fantastic news.

“We always said we supported the festival and were so disappointed that we were going to miss out because people would not be able to go in and out of the site.

“I am delighted that the organisers have listened and taken notice of local people’s concerns and agreed to make the changes.

“We are now really looking forward to the festival and it will be a major boost for residents and businesses in Lewes.”

Lewes District Council leader James Page, said: “The council, organisers and local businesses are pulling out all the stops to give visitors a great welcome and a wonderful experience of Lewes throughout the weekend.

“It’ll be a real boost to business in the town and promises great fun for locals too.”

The event on July 19 and 20 is expected to attract up to 25,000 people.