A THREATENED music festival could still go ahead this year, thanks to a task force set up to save the event.

The Stanley Blues Festival was in danger of folding after Derwentside District Council withdrew its funding and administrative support.

But a report to the council's executive body, which is due to meet soon, says the free festival is back on track.

The Festivals Working Group, set up to save the event, has put forward Saturday, August 7, as the likely date, at its traditional venue of the Kings Head playing fields, in Stanley.

The group is made up of music co-operative Northern Recording, of Consett, which runs the event in partnership with the council and Durham County Council.

It has been working to find alternative funding, such as outside sponsorship.

The group was formed when the council withdrew funding for the festival, as it was forced to slash its budget by £1m in order to keep its election promise of a 2.5 per cent council tax rise.

The festival has been running for 11 years, and last year attracted more than 12,000 people.

It is estimated that it brings an extra £500,000 a year into the local economy.

The council report also suggests that a new festival is established for the Consett area, also starting this summer.

The event aims to replace the doomed Allensford Festival and is pencilled in for Saturday, August 28, at the Berry Edge site, in Consett, or Blackhill and Consett Park.

The district council's executive will look at the proposals at a meeting to be held next Monday at Consett Civic Centre.

Published: 22/03/04