COUNCILLORS are being urged to give an annual arts festival back to the professionals.

Rossendale Council took over the running of Rossfest this year in a bid to involve more local people. Leisure chairman Coun Lawrence Forshaw, concerned about poor attendances in previous years, turned the fortnight of arts and entertainment into a people's festival with a programme based on local talent.

Now Horse and Bamboo, the Waterfoot-based theatre group, is urging councillors to let the professionals take a lead in organising Rossfest 99.

The group recently won a National Lottery grant and is offering to use some of the money for Rossfest, provided the council agrees to the new format.

The proposal is for a community programme co-ordinated by Horse and Bamboo, Mid-Pennine Arts, Groundwork, Globe Arts and the Irwell sculptors, which will involve 50 local young people, and an events programme led by local organisations.

Horse and Bamboo have drawn up a budget of £18,450 including £6,950 from themselves, £6,850 from the council, £1,20O from Mid-Pennine Arts and £l,750 from Groundwork.

The group is urging more professional marketing with a "suitable, good quality" programme, a poster, banners at key sites and press advertising. A festival manager is also proposed.

The council's leisure committee will discuss the suggestions tonight.

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