CAMPAIGNERS fighting council cuts in Harrogate may have won a reprieve for Starbeck Baths and the town's International Festival.

Funding for both seemed uncertain as Harrogate Borough Council tried to balance its books for the coming financial year.

However, the council's cabinet has recommended that a full meeting of the authority on Wednesday agrees to a stay of execution.

If the proposal is approved, the administration will commission a study into the feasibility of Starbeck Baths remaining open.

The findings would be reported to the council in July, when it will decide the next step, although it could still mean the closure of the crumbling facilities, which are estimated to need at least £600,000 to bring them up to modern standards.

Meanwhile, a £24,000 grant to the Harrogate International Festival will be reinstated in the budget, although the organisers will be expected to pay for the use of council venues which, until now, have been supplied free.

The festival will also be warned not to expect a grant next year and to make its plans accordingly.

The council's cabinet also decided it was powerless to solve the problem of the town's Royal Hall.

The authority won a £6m grant from the National Lottery towards a restoration project and has pledged another £2m.

But when regional development agency Yorkshire Forward declined to contribute, the council was unable to identify an alternative source of funding.

The council said the building would have to stay shut while officials examined options.