THE organisers of an annual Muslim festival in Tilford which attracts up to 30,000 followers have had their bid for an alternative venue in Carshalton rejected.

The Ahmadi Association of the United Kingdom had hoped the move to the Surrey County Council-owned land would end the disruption their Jalsa Salana event causes Tilford each July.

But the county council chose to lease the land to another of the three shortlisted bidders.

Now the Ahmadis are in talks with Rushmoor Borough Council about leasing land near Farnborough. Another option is land in Morden near the association's headquarters.

Nasser Khan, a deputy leader of the Ahmadi Association of the UK, said his group was "bitterly disappointed" not to secure the lease of the Carshalton land.

Meanwhile, a Tilford villager claims that the Ahmadis have breached planning law by using fields at Islamabad in Sheephatch Lane for more than 28 days a year.

The villager, who asked not to be named, estimated that, including preparation and dismantling time for a range of events, including the Jalsa Salana, the Ahmadis have used the field between 61 and 63 days this year.

But Mr Khan said: "We're careful not to go past 28 days. Many events we used to hold in Tilford we now hold in Morden, but we can't be sure because it's possible the people who erect the marquees could have an effect."