PLANS are being put in place by Redditch Council's ruling Labour group to stage a free annual pop festival, despite more criticism about the organisation of this year's AIR festival from opposition parties.

Council Leader David Cartwright told the Advertiser Labour had plans to make the festival an annual fixture and hoped it would eventually attract bigger acts and start paying for itself.

He again fielded strong criticism from opposition groups at Monday's full council meeting when they dismissed his claims the recent £560,000 AIR event cost council taxpayers nothing.