NEXT year's Barnard Castle Meet will again be held on the May bank holiday if offers of help are firmed up at the annual meeting next month.

Earlier this year, the committee decided to hold the event a month later in 2005. Protesters expressed dismay and, at an open meeting, pledged their support if the 106-year-old event kept to its historic date.

They also collected more than 700 signatures in support of retaining the traditional date.

Meet treasurer John Pearson said: "Because of the number of people who came forward with promises of help we have decided to give it another go on the bank holiday, on the proviso that those offers are firmed up at the annual meeting on August 4.

"But if no commitment is given, we would have to look at the decision again. We are looking to expand and improve, but we need extra bodies if it's to continue on the traditional Meet weekend."

Mr Pearson said the change of heart had been based purely on the promises of extra help, not the petition, which they had heard about but not yet seen.

"We don't want to alter tradition, and if we get the promised help and increase our fundraising efforts we should be able to pay the extra it costs for traffic management and having the big attractions come on a bank holiday."

Anyone else wishing to offer their services to the committee, either over the Meet weekend or with fundraising, can attend the annual meeting, which will be held in the council offices at Barnard Castle at 7.30 on Wednesday, August 4.