SEVERAL internationally-renowned poets were denied UK entry to perform at this year’s Ledbury Poetry Festival after falling victim to harsh new Home Office rules.

An Indonesian and two Moroccan poets were forced to pull-out of performances last minute after being refused visas.

Festival director Chloe Garner said: “I’m devastated, this is hugely embarrassing for the festival.

“These new regulations make it almost impossible to for us to programme international poets. I feel ashamed that the UK is effectively becoming a fortress.”

Dorothea Rosa Herliany, described as one of the most important poets writing in Indonesia today, was turned down over concerns she not was a “genuine visitor”, that she did not intend to leave the UK at the end of her visit, that she may intend to “take employment or produce goods or provide services” and that she could not pay for her return journey.

Festival organisers spent a frantic week appealing the decision and eventually managed to have it overturned. However she had been due to perform the day before the decision was made.

Moroccan poets Hassan Najmi and Widad Benmoussa were set to appear in the Moroccan Poetry and Food event.

Mr Najmi, who has published four poetry collections, one novel and two books of essays and is currently director general of the Book and Publications Department of Morocco’s Ministry of Culture, was made to attend a face-to-face interview, scheduled the day before his appearance, to secure entry to the country.

Despite the private company conducting the interview having all the information regarding his invitation to Britain and appearance at Ledbury Poetry Festival, they refused to fast track him.

Widad Benmoussa went for her interview approximately one month after applying online for her visa and arrived with the relevant documents. On arrival she was told she needed further documentation and a new interview date was set. This was after her scheduled appearance.

Simon Steven, spokesman for the festival, said: “This is the first time poets coming from outside the EU have had any difficulty in appearing at the festival.”

A spokesman for the Home Office said:: "All applications for entry clearance are considered on their individual merits, in accordance with the immigration rules, taking into account all evidence provided, including immigration history.”