Ananova:

A German prince whose ancestors helped start the Munich Oktoberfest is accusing the organisers of turning the traditional event into a money-making tourist trap.

Prince Luitpold of Bavaria, great grandson of the last King of Bavaria Ludwig III, says the beer is over priced, the tents are overcrowded and there is little to be seen or heard of authentic Munich charm.

He said: "There is little Bavarian music at the festival. If you go to the beer tents you hear things like New York New York - 70% of the music is international pop."

This year the 167th festival, which runs until October 3, is expected to attract eight million visitors from all over the world.

Guests will have to pay around four pounds for the customary litre of beer or "mass". But Prince Luitpold, who owns the castle brewery Kaltenberg, says the price is too high for regular citizens and that festival organisers, the city of Munich tourist office, are driving away locals.

He said: "The beer price increases every year. And one Munich brewery is serving their beer at the festival in nearby Dachau for just under two pounds a litre and the same beer costs double that at the Oktoberfest."

But festival organisers have rejected the Prince's claims and justify the price hike with a festival novelty - "free ladies toilets".

Spokesperson Gabriele Papke said: "In comparison with prices in the city's restaurants it is not improperly exorbitant."

The Prince is also criticising strict festival restrictions on which breweries can serve beer on the festival site. The policy "city border is beer border" means only Munich breweries can operate there while the Prince's brewery and others in the Bavarian countryside are excluded.

He said: "There are only a few breweries which are admitted to the beer tents. There's no competition, and this is what the festival needs to bring the prices down and give more variation."