A CHARITY concert being held to raise funds for next summer’s Cowley Road Carnival has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales.

The Jouvert event was due to take place at the O2 Academy, in East Oxford, tomorrow, with performances by hip hop duo Death of Hi Fi, the Ran Kan Kan Cuban band, reggae DJ Aidan Larkin and synth-pop band Secret Rivals.

However, despite a plea to the community to get behind the event, sales have remained poor and organisers say they had no option but to scrap the gig.

In a joint statement, the trustees of Cowley Road Works, the charity which organises the carnival, said: “We regret to announce that Jouvert has been cancelled. Advance ticket sales have been far below expectations and the event cannot be relied upon to raise much needed funds.

“The trustees are very sorry to disappoint everyone who was planning to attend, especially those who have already bought tickets.

"They will, of course, be refunded.”

Further fundraising events are still being planned, including a film night and auction.