Two men who used to work for Andrea Bocelli concert promoters Mike Dandridge and Darren Ward have spoken out about the chaos and incompetence which dogged arrangements for the ill-fated event.

Julian Wilton and Steve Speight, who until a month ago worked at the Red Lion pub in Islip from where Mr Dandridge and Mr Ward ran Vipco, said they witnessed first hand events which left them unsurprised the concert became an "embarrassing failure".

Mr Wilton, 27, the former bar manager, said: "It's been complete chaos but from what I've seen I'm not surprised the plans for the concert have turned out like this.

"Neither Mr Dandridge nor Mr Ward seemed to care about the concert itself or the hundreds of ticketholders. They just cared about making money from it."

The Oxford Mail has learned Vipco sold about 1,800 tickets, while Ticketmaster sold about 3,000, at an average cost of £60 per ticket plus a £4 booking fee.

Mr Wilton resigned after a series of incidents at the pub which he described as "the most embarrassing in his career".

He said: "Suppliers started asking for cash payments for deliveries because so many Red Lion cheques had bounced.

"The way the pub was run was chaotic to say the least and the arrangements for the concert were no better. Post was just thrown onto a pile in an office above the pub and telephone calls were rarely returned. "

Mr Wilton is owed about £1,000 in wages but says he has been told to forget about ever receiving them.

Mr Speight was given a cheque for about £600, but it later bounced, and he says he is owed about £1,700 in outstanding wages.

Mr Ward has returned to his home town of St Albans with his wife Kate and three children, James, Abigail and Laura.

Trading Standards officers say Mr Dandridge is equally liable for debts arising from the concert.

It is understood he is still living in Mill Street, Islip.

Neither Mr Dandridge nor Mr Ward were available for comment at the time of going to press.

Mr Speight, 49, has been attacked outside his home in Islip. His collarbone was broken and he spent five days at the Horton Hospital in Banbury.

Mr Wilton was also threatened in Oxford Road, Kidlington, but managed to escape unharmed.

Police have arrested and bailed a 34-year-old man in connection with the incidents.