The plug has been pulled on one of Oxfordshire's biggest live music events.

Fox FM's Party in the Park has been cancelled this year after the station's parent company, Capital Radio, merged with rival GWR.

In the past, the one-day event has attracted up to 80,000 people to see some of the nation's biggest pop acts, including the Sugababes and Girls Aloud, take the stage in Oxford's South Park .

It was set up as a free event in August 2000, but for the past two years, an entry fee was charged and crowd numbers limited.

Last year, 15,000 people turned up to see the likes of Texas, Lemar, Rachel Stevens and Chesney Hawkes.

The decision not to go ahead with Party in the Park is the latest blow to outdoor events in the city.

As the Oxford Mail reported last month, Oxford City Council has cancelled several events, including Jazz in the Park and the East Oxford Islamic Festival of Eid Lights, because it has not enough money to fund them.

Party in the Park fan Andrew Simons, 21, of Kidlington, said: "It's really disappointing. I usually go with a group of friends and we have a great time.

"I hadn't heard anything about it on the radio station and then my friend told me it wasn't happening."

Katy Giles, 18, of Madley Park, Witney, said: "Last year, we made a banner for Chesney Hawkes as a bit of a joke, but he turned out to be good.

"I've been for four years and the sun usually shines.

"It feels like you're on holiday and it was great fun, so this is a shame."

Katherine Hopson, 35, of Main Road, Long Hanborough, took children Harry, seven, and Molly, five, to last year's Party in the Park.

She said: "I didn't think last year's event was as good as previous ones. However, it's a shame, because it's a great day out."

A Fox FM spokesman said: "We're now part of GCap Media, following the merger of Capital and GWR, and that has meant we're not running Party in the Park, as it's not something other radio stations in the group did."

The merger of Capital and GWR created one of the UK's biggest commercial radio groups, with nearly 150 stations.

Other events funded by Oxford City Council that will still go ahead include Oxford Car-Free Day, St Giles Fair in September and the city centre Christmas lights switch-on.