This summer's World Cup has been blamed for the Dartford Festival recording a "loss" of £62,000 - along with nostalgic pop acts charging large fees.

Documents show the 2018 festival cost the council £147,580 but only took in £85,470, leaving a difference of £62,110.

The report notes a number of factors contributed to the high costs of running the festival besides England's success.

A "severe threat level" is mentioned as the primary reason for an increase in security measures, including additional stewarding, metal detectors at entrances and the use of sniffer dogs.

Something called the "Rewind Effect", which refers to the recent surge in popularity for the Rewind Festivals across the country, is also marked as a reason for higher costs.

The report mentions that acts from the 70s, 80s and 90s "are now able to command far higher fees than even three years ago."

Eighties pop star Midge Ure along with Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy's duo act Boyzlife headlined this year's festival.

"Lower than anticipated" sponsorship was also reported as another reason for the loss of revenue.

Speaking in response to a question put forward by the opposition regarding the festival, council leader Jeremy Kite insisted the event had not lost money.

He said: "Councils actually don't lose money when we provide services. Anymore than NHS lose money when they perform operations, or the fire service lose money when they put out fires. It is their service to do so.

"The Dartford Festival, which is a free festival, has never been more popular, never been larger and never has attracted more people as it has right now and I'm very, very proud of that."

Cllr Kite also touched on the lack of sales made during the festival, which clashed with other big events.

"We also this year had a shortfall of revenues from hospitality sales and again, I will say to that straightforwardly that we had a World Cup this year.

"This meant operators who usually come to us had other opportunities," he said, referencing other public events which took place throughout the competition.

It was estimated that approximately 25,000 people attended this year's festival.