Weekend washout cast doubts over Portsmouth festival's futureÂ

Lashing rain pummelled the Charmed Life Festival at Portsmouth's Victoria Park on Saturday.

And although hundreds of hardy revellers '“ undeterred by the dreary conditions '“ attended, the event's organiser, Gareth Wright, said many more had been turned off by the rain.

Now he is unsure as to whether or not he will stage the event in the city in 2019 amid fears this year's offering failed to pull in enough cash to make ends meet.

Speaking to The News, a disappointed Mr Wright said: '˜I'm going to lose a lot of money through this festival.

'˜It's a shame because I know it can work. If it was sunny it would have been blinding down here, it would have been banging.

'˜But it's just one of those things, it's typical British weather.'

Some revellers had bought tickets in advance. But Mr Wright had hoped the event would be able to attract passersby, who would have bought tickets on the door.

He said: '˜I was hoping for about 2,000 people but the rain really hit the walking trade. We have got 1,100 or 1,200 people.'

Those who did brave the weather said they had a great time at the festival, which was celebrating its second year in the city.

Ross Matthews, of Paulsgrove, was with friends Maxine Edwards, 28, and Robbie Smith, 33, both of Cosham. The 35-year-old builder said: '˜It was wet but that didn't stop us from skanking and dancing. We've had a great day.'

Adam Roberts, 39, of Waterlooville, travelled to Charmed Life with wife Charlie, 39, and son Edward, five.

He said: '˜There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. 

'˜Yes, it has been pretty wet, but we've all had good fun.'

Charlie added: '˜It's been typically British, people just getting on with it and having fun.'

About 25 music acts performed during the day on the festival's two stages.

Mr Wright said the day was about creating a more '˜intimate' festival in the city as well as showcasing the local talent and trade on offer in Portsmouth.