POP fans in Swindon have snubbed a planned X Factor show in the town.

Red-faced event organisers have pulled the plug on the X Factor Now and Then gig planned for the Oasis on Wednesday because only 165 out of 3,000 tickets were sold.

The event would have featured 2007 live finalists Futureproof, 2006 third place singer Ben Mills and 2005's runner up Andy Abraham in town.

Effective Event Solutions had also planned for the 2005 winner Shayne Ward, currently riding high in the top 10, and fans' favourite Chico, to headline a second night but as ticket sales for Mills and Abraham never took off they could not risk the follow-up.

The one-off confirmed event was arranged to fill in dates the company already booked as part of its Mardi Gras themed Christmas party nights which kick off next week.

Alan Ruck-Nightingale, the event promoter, said: "It's a huge shame and I can't quite grasp why sales haven't gone well.

"There's been no lack of marketing, in the Advertiser and on radio and a 30,000 leaflet drop to houses.

"I don't think this year's X Factor competition has had such good competitors, so maybe that's been part of it."

As well as the confirmed line up for the Wednesday night, there were plans to bring more manufactured acts from this year's show to Swindon as part of the X Factor extravaganza.

Although Futureproof left the ITV talent contest much earlier than expected, they had gathered a keen following during the show before they were dropped in favour of five-piece girl group Hope.

"I wanted to get Hope signed up a few weeks back but then they stayed in until this week, and I think they would have helped boost sales too," said Mr Ruck-Nightingale.

"It's odd. We couldn't set firm plans for the second night until the first was selling well enough, it wouldn't have been good to have the second one fill up and the first one empty."

Anyone who has won competition tickets for the X Factor Now and Then night will be invited to attend the Mardi Gras party on Friday, December 14, subject to conditions on age.

The competition organisers will be contacting their winners with details on this.

The Oasis has played host to some of the most popular acts in the charts, with this year seeing McFly, Beverly Knight, the Pet Shop Boys and The Fratellis on stage.

On Saturday, their fellow chart stars Hard-Fi will be performing the latest leg of their UK tour.