A MUSIC director was accused of upsetting children with "overly critical" Simon Cowell-style comments at a charity music event.

Top West End director and Chiswick resident Mike Dixon was asked to hold a workshop with schoolchildren at the Chiswick music festival, GroveSTOCK.

But some parents say they were shocked at comments they claim were made by the director, who has worked on shows such as Pop Idol and Grease, at Saturday's event.

Victoria Black, whose daughter was one of the pupils singing in kidsCHORAL under the leadership of Mr Dixon, wrote on an online forum: "It was obvious to see the disappointment and frustration on their faces as they were overly criticised and as they saw many of the adults, who had also been victims of Mike's overzealous show-manship, voting with their feet."

Helle Kaiser-Nielsen, who was supporting a friend's child at the event, which is based around the triangle of St Paul's Church and Gardens, in Grove Park Road, wrote: "He was giving small kids who sang their hearts out -3 and -4 out of 10, using remarks like, 'now that wasn't very good was it?'"

However, others who attended disagreed.

GroveSTOCK is an event

organised by residents of Grove Park to raise funds for St Paul's Church, and also features an X Factor-style competition called groveFACTOR, which invites children to be judged on their singing and musical abilities.

GroveSTOCK organiser, Julian Tanner, defended Mike Dixon, saying:

"We don't agree that Mike was unduly harsh on the children, but if his approach did upset anyone, then we are sorry for that.

"Mike's great talent is to bring the best out of any group of singers or musicians.

"He really achieved that on Saturday, where the final chorus of Aquarius was superb."

"I am delighted to say that we have had lots of very positive feedback from adults and children who were there on

Saturday who had a great time."