Rox '“ 'needs to do more for local talent'

The music and arts festival makes its long-awaited return to Bognor Regis seafront this weekend to start the nine-day Sunfest.

But Adam, who performs an Eminem tribute act, said the aim of Rox to foster musicians from around Bognor by giving them a major performing platform had been lost. 'I don't know why Rox don't want me to perform there. I'm unhappy about it when they should be all about boosting local talent.

'I've performed at Rox three or four times when it was on the seafront before and at Fontwell Park but I've got nowhere when I've applied in the last couple of years.

'I got one of the biggest crowds at Rox and there's been interest in my music from America. I've played gigs Manchester, London, Newcastle and Birmingham. Yet Rox don't want to know me,' he complained.

'There's no swearing and no profanity in my act and I've sold about 1,000 copies of a CD I produced myself. Called Bognor Street Anthems, it has a picture of the seafront and the pier on the front. It's all about promoting my town but Rox aren't interested.'

Rox joint founder Steve Goodheart said the organisation had been inundated until the start of this week with acts wanting to perform to mark its seafront comeback. It was impossible to fit everyone in and difficult decisions had to be made. 'Adam Turner's style of music does not fit in with the overall style of sound we want to put across,' he stated.