Concert-goers were left high and dry last night after the police stopped bars from selling alcoholic drinks at the James Blunt event, citing a law which says minors should not be exposed to alcohol.

In a statement issued a short time before the singer went on stage at the Valletta Waterfront, organisers nNG promotions said it had held a number of meetings with various authorities with a view to achieving “a reasonable and practical solution” in line with the law.

The police order, they said, could jeopardise many events scheduled to be held in the summer.

A police spokesman said drinks could still be sold outside the concert venue but since the event would be attended by youngsters aged 17 and under, alcohol could not go on sale inside.

Asked whether an alternative would have been for the bartenders to ask for identification before selling a drink, the spokesman said this was beside the point as “the law says that minors cannot be exposed to alcohol”.

The organisers were fuming: “The hard work and financial resources invested by the Malta Tourism Authority and private event promoters to help Malta evolve into an event destination are being placed in jeopardy due to unreasonable legislation.

“Malta is forcing itself into becoming an exception to the rest of the world. Elsewhere all over the world, the sale of alcohol during concerts is allowed provided that minors are precluded from purchasing alcoholic beverages. Access to these concerts is also allowed to persons under 17 years of age,” the organisers said in their statement.

Asked whether this law would also affect the sale of alcohol during feasts and other events, the police spokesman would not elaborate.

Beer is a staple feature of activities in the Maltese summer, including in some state-sponsored activities such as the Jazz Festival and at the various village feasts round the island.

Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Mario de Marco said the issue hinged on the interpretation of a 2009 legal notice. He declined further comment saying only that he would look into the matter with a view to finding a possible solution.