ONE of County Durham's biggest musical events has been saved - but another major festival is under threat.

Councillors at cash-strapped Derwentside District Council agreed to confirm a £17,000 budget for the threatened Stanley Blues Festival on Tuesday night.

But the council is pinning its hopes on securing at least half of the £20,000 costs needed to stage the Allensford Festival from the National Lottery.

A special meeting to see if the bids are successful will be held four or five weeks before the proposed dates of the festival on August 24 and 25.

Even if cash from a number of lottery agents is not forthcoming, the council has pledged to hold a fun day to mark the re-opening of Blackhill park after a £1m refurbishment.

Both Allensford and Stanley festivals are free and have steadily grown in popularity which, with increased Government health and safety regulations, has led to spiralling costs.

Mike Clark, director of public services at the council, said that the authority had reasoned that the chances of securing lottery money for the multi-event Allensford show was greater than for the one event Stanley Blues Festival.

He said: "The blues festival is all about music but Allensford has a multitude of events which means we can apply to a number of lottery bodies."

Mr Clark said that the Stanley Blues Festival was of vital importance in raising the profile of Stanley.

Derwentside-based music studio Northern Recording is instrumental in organising both events.

John Kearney, leading member of Northern Recording, said: "We're delighted that it's full steam ahead for the Stanley festival. Both Stanley and Allensford are success stories that attract thousands of people and we're confident that both will go ahead and be bigger and better than ever.