Religious figures have called for a boycott of the popular Cheltenham Greenbelt Festival because of its alleged pro-gay agenda.
The Anglican Mainstream church has blasted the festival - which is attended by up to 20,000 people every year - beacuse it described itself as gay-friendly.
“This is an environment where it is accepted that practising homosexuality is a valid, completely acceptable expression of the Christian point of view," complained Canon Dr Chris Sugden, speaking on behalf of the traditional assembly to thisisgloucester.co.uk.
“I think leaders of youth clubs and families should think very seriously about whether they want their young people to be in this environment,” he continued.
The event, which is supported and sponsored by the Church Mission Society, will be held at Cheltenham racecourse next month. High profile musical acts such as Royksopp and Athlete are also offering their support; both are due to perform at the festival.
Several gay and lesbian Christian groups have spoken out against the claims, including Rev Sharon Fergusson of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, who believes the Anglican Mainstream is ‘making a big deal out of nothing.’
Martin Wroe, a trustee of the Greenbelt Festival, has also responded to the slating: "Let me reassure him [Canon Sugden] that I have tested my own children, now all teenagers, on the 'environment' of Greenbelt for some time now and so far they all seem to be doing okay."
The festival runs from August 28-31. More details can be found at greenbelt.org.uk