A POPULAR town festival is going public in an effort to build on its growing success.

Thirsk Festival has gone from strength to strength since it was launched by the town's rotary club in 1999.

Organisers say the event is now too big to be run by the rotary club alone, and they are in talks with local businesses and voluntary organisations about taking on the ownership of future festivals.

The move has won the backing of local councillors and the town's business association.

A meeting, held at the Golden Fleece in Thirsk last week, discussed the possibility of setting up a new representative governing body for the festival and expanding the event to cover the whole of July, instead of the usual nine days.

The meeting was called by Derek Gardiner, chairman of Thirsk Festival Ltd.

He said the positive response to the plans would now pave the way for detailed discussions to be held with all potential partners.

He said: "Aside from excellent entertainment value, festivals of this kind make an important impact on tourism, local trade and inward investment.

"Thirsk is buzzing on many fronts and we need, as a town, to maintain the growth and momentum of this important annual Thirsk event."

The idea has also been supported by Thirsk Town Council.

Mayor Jan Marshall said: "Thirsk Festival is a very valued and important feature in the life of the town and the town council has always been pleased to support it.

"We welcome this exciting initiative and encourage other organisations to get involved."

Don Moore, chairman of Thirsk and District Business Association, added: "We support the initiative in principle and feel that the implementation of total co-ordination for all events should lead to a more integrated and successful future."

A meeting for groups interested in taking part in next year's festival will be held at the Golden Fleece in Thirsk on November 14 at 7pm.

Festival chairman Derek Gardiner received an MBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace last week.

"I'm naturally extremely proud of the award and delighted to have such an opportunity to meet the Queen," he said.

"The entire investiture ceremony was a truly memorable experience and something my family and I shall never forget."