A SAVIOUR has been found to turn around the dire financial problems of Nantwich Folk and Roots Festival.

Nantwich Now Market Town Project manager Beverly Cope will finalise a business strategy for the cash-strapped management team within the next few weeks and believes that far from being the festival's final fling, the event could go ahead with even more success next year.

She explained: "There is a lot we can do - with more partners involved and everyone working together we can bring this back in a big way."

The town business expert is already in talks with companies considering sponsorship of the festival, which attracts thousands of people to the town each year with top musical acts and free craft workshops.

The aim is to find one company, possibly in the food business, to sponsor the festival in return for prestige, advertising and a chance to meet the star performers!

The plan could also include more targeted funding bids to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council and possibly local councils, though organisers will focus on making the event sustainable without relying on grants.

Beverly added: "The organisers are creative people who love music but haven't planned the business and funding side well in advance.

"It is realistic to say that the festival will end if organisers don't bring others on board and follow a structured business plan, but I believe we can claw something back and even double the numbers of visitors for next year."

kcooksey@guardiangrp.co.uk