Organisers of one of the county's most popular festivals have sparked anger by scaling back this year's event.

Crowds of up to 100,000 flock to Brighton's bohemian quarter each May to watch hundreds of weird and wonderful performers wander the city streets.

But this year's Streets of Brighton weekend will be a quieter affair - with just 20 acts on the bill.

Disapponted shiatsu practioner Helen Burrows, 48, from Richmond Street, Brighton, said: "It sounds like it will be a bit less fun than it has been in the past.

"Everything is so structured and organised these days and we need some freedom and spontaneity. It used to be great because you'd be walking along and suddenly some outrageous character would loom out in front of you. If everything is set to a timetable it will loose that element of surprise, which was what made the event so unique."

In previous years visitors might have turned a corner of North Laine to see a 10ft angel gliding by, a nun with a piano trundling past or a troupe of giant ants looming over them.

But this year performances will be scheduled to take place in designated spots, with the onus on audiences to find the shows rather than the shows finding them.

Community groups have also been excluded this year, after organiser Zap Art decided they did not fit with its new vision for the street arts festival.

Producer Veronica Stephens said the charity had decided to change its focus after consulting with artists and funding bodies, including the Arts Council.

Brighton and Hove City Council withdrew its £10,000 grant earlier this year but Ms Stephens she said this was not a key factor in the change of direction.

She said: "Previously there was so much going it was a bit of a bun fight.

"Some of the criticism we got from artists was that there were too many acts and that meant that some weren't getting enough attention.

"We also have a limited number of resources which have to be shared among the companies we work with.

"We are focusing on a really high quality programme, with focused pitches for each act. It will mean we can direct our resources and support in a more effective way. We will be able to pay performers more, for example. We won't be spreading ourselves so thinly."

She said that while she acknowledged there might be some disappointment about the changes, the new "less is more" approach would benefit audiences.

"For the audience it's not going to be the carnivalesque event it was. You've got to go out to seek these shows yourself.

"But we are not paid to provide free street entertainment, we are paid to develop the work of street artists. There are plenty of other opportunities for the Brighton public to experience that, and for community groups to take part, with events such as Brighton Carnival and Burning The Clocks.

"The audience in Brighton is discerning and people expect a high quality of work, which is what we are developing with this new focus."

The programme for this year's Streets of Brighton will be published on April 16. The acts will be based in and around the North Laine and the seafront. They will all be free of charge except for Komplex Kapharnaum's £5 Play Rec performance in the old Brighton Station car park, which is taking place as part of Brighton Festival.

What do you think about the changes to Streets of Brighton? Post your comments below. Visit www.theargus.co.uk/festival for news and reviews of the Festival, Fringe and Streets of Brighton.