Call to reinstate music festival

Brazilian band CSS are past headliners of the festival

Campaigners opposing the cancellation of a major music festival are presenting a 1,000-name petition to the London Assembly.

The city's mayor Boris Johnson called off the Rise Festival to save money. Last year, it cost £551,000 to organise.

More than 100,000 people attended 2008's event, watching artists including De La Soul and Public Enemy.

It had been a regular event in Finsbury Park, north London, since 1996.

London Assembly member Jeanette Arnold said: "I think the mayor's decision was wrong, hasty and revealed his ignorance of what the festival represented for thirteen years before Boris.

"All we can hope is that the strength of feeling behind this campaign might just make him see the light."

In its place, the mayor launched Rhythm of London, a new two-day music event aimed at increasing musical opportunities for youngsters.