Christina Aguilera, Lionel Richie and Eric Clapton Sandringham concerts cancelled

Three Heritage Live music festivals scheduled to take place at historic country estates across England have been cancelled with organisers citing financial pressures, rising costs and poor ticket sales.

The cancellations affect concerts planned for Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, Audley End Estate in Essex, and Englefield Estate in Berkshire.

This year's line-up included major international acts such as Christina Aguilera, Eric Clapton and Lionel Richie at Sandringham, Scissor Sisters at Audley End and Richard Ashcroft among the headline performers at Englefield.

Festival organiser GCE Live announced the decision in a statement saying a financial rescue package had failed to materialise leaving the company with no option but to cancel the events.

"We're devastated to report the heartbreaking news that we have no choice but to cancel this summer's Heritage Live festivals," the statement read.

The company said independent promoters are finding it increasingly difficult to compete in a crowded festival market adding that higher artist fees, supplier costs and staffing expenses have made staging events far more expensive.

GCE Live also pointed to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and wider economic uncertainty saying they had contributed to lower-than-expected ticket sales across several shows.

Heritage Live has previously hosted performances from artists including The Who, Sir Tom Jones and Sir Van Morrison building a reputation for bringing major music acts to some of Britain's most historic outdoor venues.