A MYSTERY benefactor has stepped in to save a popular folk festival after it was cancelled because of lack of funds.

The Alcester and Arden Folk Festival, which has been running in the town for the past five years, failed to get any grants this year and with only a month to go, organisers said they would have to pull out.

This would have meant losses of thousands of pounds for local traders. Some venues had already paid for equipment and stock and others were looking forward to the brisk trade they get when some of the events take place in local pubs.

When news of the cancellation broke last Monday, traders and other townspeople rallied round to offer help and were planning to take donations to cover any financial losses the festival might make.

But one man, who has lived in the town for many years but prefers not to be identified, agreed to underwrite the whole festival.

Andy Mills, chairman of Alcester Chamber of Trade, said: "It's just amazing. I suggested 100 people put £25 each to raise £2,500 and this one man said we didn't need to worry about any of it, he would cover any shortfall. It's very generous. Hopefully, though, the festival will be such a success it won't be needed.

"I think it's absolutely fabulous that it's been resurrected and it's just a tribute to the community spirit of Alcester that at such short notice people can rally round and pull rabbits out of hats."

Marje Stanley, one of the festival organisers, said she was overwhelmed with the support from the town.

She said grants given by Awards for All and Stratford District Council some years ago had been "eked out" as far as they could go and this year the organisers were cutting costs by printing their own programmes and using their own funds.

The three-day festival costs about £7,000 to stage, some of which is raised through adverts in the programmes and ticket sales.

"The rest has been coming out of my bank," said Mrs Stanley.

"We decided to pull out because we have to give the artists four weeks' notice of cancelling. But when the people of Alcester heard, they rallied round and have offered so much support both through sponsorship and hard work that we are now feeling able to put it back on.

"I'm just overwhelmed by the response of the people of Alcester. They have put their money where their mouths are. I thought there was too much to do to reinstate the festival but they've just said give us this and that to do and they've done it."

The Alcester and Arden Folk Festival takes place over the weekend of June 17, 18 and 19. It is based at the Greig Centre but there are events all over the town, including the town hall, pubs and for the first time this year, at the fire station.

For more details and to book tickets, call 07788 536605.