THE Burnley National Blues Festival could yet go ahead if the private sector came up with sponsorship.

Burnley Council has decided to replace the money-losing national blues event over the Easter period with a blues weekend and other entertainment.

Talks have been held with fringe operators and meetings are being held with Burnley Marketing Partnership and the Town centre Partnership.

Recreation vice-chairman Coun John Harbour told the full council last night: "I never said it would be the same but that there would be a blues event.

"If the fringe and private sector comes along with sponsorship then a National Blues Festival could take place.

"We are more than willing to work in partnership with these bodies.

"If private money comes along to subsidise a festival, there will be a festival.''

Coun Harry Brooks asked for the decision to reinvest the money normally used for the Burnley National Blues Festival in other events to be referred to the next meeting of the recreation committee.

It had been an artistic success but a financial failure. There had been enough controversy over the decision to justify a deferment.

Coun Tony Harrison said they had not decided against a blues festival. All they were doing was to re-jig it to another date.

Coun Brooks said a blues weekend was not the same as the Burnley National Blues Festival and they should not pretend it was.

The council backed the committee decision to hold a variety of entertainment events and to report back to a future meeting on arrangements for a blues weekend.

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