ORGANISERS of this year's Guitars on the Beach have gone back to basics by throwing out songs picked by rock fans so that everyone can take part.

More than 2,000 guitarists will all play together next weekend (5) as part of 'Britain's biggest band'. But organisers have axed the official play-along songs chosen by listeners of radio station sponsor, Planet Rock, because they are 'too heavy and complex'.

Listeners suggested the guitarists played along to Metallica and Judas Priest, but organisers have decided Chuck Berry's classic, Johnny B Goode, will be strummed by those taking part.

Organiser Geoff Baker said: "We've got to keep it simple because Guitars on the Beach is for guitarists of all ages and abilities.

"We asked Planet Rock to get their listeners to pick songs for everybody to play, but unfortunately their choices were far too heavy and complex for us. Those sort of heavy metal songs just aren't in tune with a big family event - so we've binned them."

Mr Baker is pleased the Chuck Berry classic will be played at Guitars on the Beach as final preparations take shape.

"It is a song that everybody knows," he said. "It's a basic 12-bar song and much easier to play along to.

"We're sorry to be changing the set at the last minute, but the whole idea of Guitars on the Beach is to keep it simple so that everybody can join in. For a Lyme crowd, Johnny B Goode is the perfect French Lieutenant's boogie."

Guitars On The Beach started in 2013 when, despite a thunderstorm, around 2,000 guitarists turned up to perform Buddy Holly’s Rave On together. Last year, a crowd of 1,000 more joined Deep Purple star Ian Gillan as he led the huge guitar band on his band’s hit, Smoke On The Water.

With more than 3,000 members, the Guitars On The Beach band claims to be Britain’s biggest band. However, the world record for the most guitarists playing in one band together is held by Poland, with more than 6,000 guitarists.

The event will be held in conjunction with top chef Mark Hix’s Food Rocks food festival.

This year Hix has organised a variety of food stalls from more than 40 producers at Food Rocks, along with cookery demonstrations, tastings and talks by chefs and food and drink stars including Mitch Tonks, Russell Norman, Rose Prince, Angela Hartnett, Steve Terry, Willie Harcourt Cooze, Tom Parker Bowles, Mat Follas, Tim Hughes, Miles Irving, Gill Meller and Steven Lamb from River Cottage, and Mark himself.

The mass play-along to four songs – Rave On, Smoke On The Water, My Sharona and Johnny B. Goode – will start at 4.30pm on Saturday, September 5.