Neil CooperTHE WILTSHIRE Festival is unlikely to happen this year, according to the organiser.

The show, one of the county's largest music events, usually runs over the August Bank Holiday weekend in Lydiard Park.

But Neil Cooper, director of Green Arena Events, which ran the 2004 festival, says a question mark is hanging over this year's event after disappointing ticket sales last year.

He may set his sights on a show for 2006 instead.

Mr Cooper said: "No definite decision has yet been taken, but time is against me.

"Last year I was using my own free time to put the show together, but this year I have new work commitments, so it's unlikely I will be able to spend the time doing it.

"Last year it was a good crowd of people and we got some very good feedback. People really seemed to enjoy themselves.

"But we only just managed to turn a profit on the show and it was not enough to sustain it.

"We had some pretty bad weather the week before the event, although fortunately it held for us over the weekend. We brought the best stars we could to Wiltshire for the festival especially with Blue, but I feel that many people probably did not have that confidence in the weather to come along, and so many made other arrangements."

Mr Cooper said around 9,000 people attended last year's Party in the Park event, which featured boy band Blue, RnB singer Jamelia and singer Darius.

But Mr Cooper had been hoping for crowds of between 12-15,000 for the Saturday night gig.

A further 3,000 people did attend the Classical Picnic and Proms classical music event on the Friday evening.

The lack of a major sponsor was also a setback, Mr Cooper said.

He said: "The lack of a major sponsor has been a stumbling block. We did have a great deal of support from Westfield and Swindon Council but it is not enough to sustain the show.

"Putting on a show like this was extremely hard work. If I could get a major sponsor this year, it could change, but I think we will now wait for 2006."

Sheryl Crouch, brand and marketing manager at the Evening Advertiser, said: "It will be a shame and a big loss for Swindon if we cannot get events such as this up and running on a regular basis.

"Last year's event was successful but it is a pity there are not more people out there more supportive and willing to ensure that an event like this could go-ahead."

In 2003 the event was cancelled due to the withdrawal of promoter Eddie Sharpe, of Heaven On Earth Promotion, and the show was postponed until 2004.

A spokeswoman for Swindon Council said: "It is always disappointing when any successful working relationship ends, but this is not necessarily the end for the Wiltshire Festival.

"We would be happy as an authority to talk to any potential future partner who maybe interested in stepping forward with a workable proposal for a 2005 event."

Anthony Osborne