THE future of a once-threatened long-term fixture in Winchester's social calendar is now secure.

Organisers have hailed this year's Winchester Folk Festival a roaring success and already set a date for next year's festival.

Last year the festival was cancelled because of a lack of volunteers and organisers feared it would never be held again.

Happily help was found and the festival celebrated its 30th birthday at the weekend in a riot of colour, song, music and dance.

Organisers have already set the weekend of May 12-14 for next year's extravaganza.

"We are going to be here next year, there is no question of that," said Clive Burgess, one of the festival organisers.

"It really should be a part of the scene here in Winchester. Folk is all about heritage and this community is steeped in it. We should glory in it and

the folk festival is that opportunity."

Last weekend's festival saw more than 400 musicians, singers and dancers entertain audiences totalling in excess of 1,800 at concerts, ceilidhs and workshops.

Mr Burgess said: "We're still working on the figures but realistically expect that in this the first year of its revival, we the organisers will need to dip into our own pockets.

"But there are no complaints. We are delighted to have had the chance to bring a truly high quality festival of dance, music and song back into Winchester's cultural calendar and we intend to keep it firmly established there."

Mr Burgess said he had spoken to many people at the festival all of whom said how pleased they were it had been revived and how much they hoped it would continue in the future.

"Everyone was very grateful that the festival had returned," he said. "I think everyone is delighted it has been resurrected."