THE COMPANY which was due to be running a major Cornish music festival this week has gone into liquidation.

Solicitors were last week drafted in to sort out the mess created by the cancellation of Killiow 2008 which was due to start a five-night run on Tuesday.

The classical musical extravaganza was to have taken place inside a giant pink marquee on the Killiow estate near Truro.

Topping the bill was singer Hayley Westenra and opera singer Alfie Boe. It is believed that part of Ms Westenra's and Mr Boe's fee had been paid in advance. Former TV presenter Selina Scott was to have hosted the event.

The festival was cancelled two weeks ago after only 4,000 tickets of nearly 15,000 available were sold.

Doubt remains over when and if ticket-buyers, who paid between £20 and £100 for seats, will be refunded.

Alastair Taylor, musical and artistic director for Camellia MC Productions, organisers of the event, said solicitors had told them to say nothing.

The directors have issued a statement saying: "It is with regret that the directors of Camellia MC Productions have approached professional advisors and have been advised to place the company into liquidation. This will take a number of weeks to achieve.

"In the meantime, the company will cease to trade. In due course the liquidator will be taking over the affairs of the company, and notify interested parties as to the company's financial position."

The Hall for Cornwall, who had been engaged to sell tickets, also issued a statement saying they did not hold the money from Camellia's ticket buyers and so were unable to return it. Because Killiow 2008 was an event raising money for a range of Cornish charities, Hall for Cornwall undertook the task free of charge.

Customers who booked through the HfC box office have been advised to keep hold of their tickets while the hall awaits clarification.

Ticket sales for all other events are unaffected and are proceeding as normal.