The sale of all alcohol was banned by the police within the venue of the James Blunt cert this evening on the strength of a recently-amended law.

The concert is being held at the Valletta Waterfront.

"The issue could have easily have been avoided had common sense prevailed, organisers NnG said, adding that a number of suggestions were made to the authorities, all of which were turned down.

"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, NnG said.

"Malta is 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.

"In Malta’s case, the enforcement of an age limit on the purchase of alcoholic beverages is being made through a total ban on alcohol sales to the entire concert audience once people under 17s are also present."

NnG said it supports the ban on alcohol sales to persons under 17 years but believes that a total ban on everyone present is possibly counter-productive.

It urged the government to review the law and warned that this interpretation of the law may jeopardise other public events due to be held over the summer months.