ARTS Council officials have appealed for funding to save an international festival.

Organisers of Harrogate International Festival have been warned that they could lose a £24,000 grant from the borough council.

The council is making cutbacks to balance its budget and says it cannot afford the grant because of a low funding settlement from the Government.

The festival has been held since 1965 and has featured stars such as Lesley Garratt and BB King.

It brings about £1m to the local economy and attracts audiences of up to 34,000 people.

In a letter to Harrogate Borough Council, Andy Carver, executive director of the Arts Council England for the Yorkshire Region, appealed to councillors not to cut the funding.

He said: "The Arts Council views Harrogate International Festival as a major cultural asset, not only in the local context but more widely in North Yorkshire and the region as a whole."

He said the Arts Council had considered giving the festival a stabilisation grant to help with finances, but it would not be prepared to do so if the borough council withdrew its funding.

Also in the firing line is Harrogate's 134-year-old Starbeck swimming baths. A council report says the council needs a £606,000 investment for repairs and that closing the baths would save £66,970.

Reports on the future of the festival and the pool will go before the council's cabinet on Wednesday.