Live music fans in Hornchurch were disappointed when the free gig had to be cut short – because of bad weather.

Headliners at the show in Harrow Lodge Park on Saturday – including 2002 Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates – were unable to play after the council decided to pull the plug due to rain and thunderstorms.

A council spokesman confirmed the show was halted at 4.45pm, and that the headliners would not be rescheduled.

He added the decision was “difficult to take”, but that continuing would have put people’s health and safety at risk.