ILKLEY Summer Festival is on borrowed time unless more people come forward to help next year, its chairman has warning this week.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth says the event is under threat in its current form, and she is appealing for new blood and new ideas to help ensure its future success.

The festival is also facing problems this year from 'vigilantes', who have removed banners publicising the event – apparently in retribution for the banning of traders' A-boards.

Cllr Hawkesworth stressed the important role the festival has played in the town since its inception 15 years ago, but said it is now facing serious problems because of a fall in the number of directors.

She said: "The number of people involved in the festival has decreased enormously.

"This year, it has been tremendously difficult for me – I am virtually the only one doing it now.

"Unless more people come forward for next year, it really is on borrowed time."

A separate one-week jazz festival is running within the event this year, and Cllr Hawkesworth is hoping more people will come forward with ideas for mini festivals for next year.

"This year, I asked someone who is very keen on jazz to take over one week," she added. "He has formed his own festival just for one week – that is the direction I would like to go in."

Cllr Hawkesworth stressed a major rethink is needed for the future.

She said: "It cannot continue unless there is more support – it needs new blood; new ideas."

Cllr Hawksworth made her appeal this week just days before the launch of this year's festival, and she also spoke out about the theft of banners publicising the event.

Measuring 6ft by 2ft, they have been stolen from Brook Street.

Cllr Hawkesworth said: "One of the volunteers put the banner for Dancing with Dominic up at the top of Brook Street.

"The site is habitually used by community groups to display their wares. He was somewhat shocked to see an individual remove the said banner and take it away. I think this was a reaction to the A-board ban and the person mistakenly thinking the cabaret on the grove was a council event. The individual is obviously acting as a vigilante, as a replacement banner put there a couple of days after disappeared overnight."

Cllr Hawkesworth stressed the important benefits the festival brings to the town and to its traders.

She added: "We have got to be able to make people aware of things that are happening. In the past 15 years, the difference to Ilkley because of the festival has been incredible.

"It is in everybody's interest to make sure people come into town."

lWhat do you think? We welcome letters on this or any other subject. E-mail richard.parker@nqyne.co.uk or write to the Content Editor, Ilkley Gazette and Wharfedale Observer, 38 High Street, Skipton BD23 1JU. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number.