ONE of County Durham's biggest musical events has been saved - but another major festival is still under threat.

Councillors at Derwentside District Council agreed on Tuesday night to confirm a £17,000 budget for the threatened Stanley Blues Festival.

But the council is pinning its hopes on securing at least half of the £20,000 costs needed to stage the much-loved Allensford Festival near Consett from the National Lottery.

A meeting to see if bids are successful will be held four or five weeks before the proposed dates of the Allensford Festival, on August 24 and 25.

Even if the cash from a number of Lottery agents is not forthcoming, the council is pledged to hold a fun day to mark the reopening of Blackhill Park after a £1m refurbishment.

Both Allensford and Stanley festivals are free and have steadily grown in popularity which, with increased Government health and safety regulations, has led to spiralling costs.

Mike Clark, director of public services for the council, said that the authority had reasoned that the chances of securing Lottery money for the Allensford show was greater than for the single-event Stanley Blues Festival.

He said: "The blues festival is all about music, but Allensford has a multitude of events, which means we can apply to a number of Lottery bodies. A better use of our resources would be to try to secure match-funding for the Allensford show."

Mr Clark said that Stanley Blues Festival, a music event of regional and even national renown, was of vital importance in raising the profile of Stanley.

Cabinet member for culture, Lyn Boyd, said the council was optimistic that funding would be received for the Allensford event.

Derwentside-based music studio Northern Recording, is instrumental in organising both events.

John Kearney, leading member of Northern Recording, said: "We're delighted that it is full steam ahead for the Stanley festival. Both Stanley and Allensford are success stories that attract thousands of people and we are confident that both will go ahead and be bigger and better than ever."

The Stanley Blues Festival at the Kings Head Field last year attracted 7,000 visitors and the Allensford show, cancelled last year because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic, attracted 10,000 in 2000. The Stanley festival is due to take place on August 3, although that has to be confirmed.