A YORKSHIRE DALES market town has embarked on an ambitious plan to secure future festival events within the town and its surrounding villages in bid to increase tourism in the area.

Thirsk Festival has been run by the town's Rotary club for the last 8 years and raised more than £160,000 for 170 local projects and charitable causes.

Thirsk is buzzing on many fronts and we need, as a town, to maintain the growth and momentum

Derek Gardner - Thirsk Rotary

Because of its success the Festival has grown beyond the resources of Thirsk Rotary and members felt they had created a successful and valued event but its organisation demanded far too much from its volunteer workforce.

Derek Gardiner, the founding chairman of the festival came up with the concept to coordinate the various events and appoint a manager who would organise the summer festival, bringing in other existing events and create new ones.

The overall aim is to make Thirsk a Festival Town with an annual calendar of coordinated events.

Derek took the idea to Thirsk Regeneration Initiative with the result that Thirsk Events Group was born. The group comprises members of Thirsk Rotary together with the Town Council, Ritz Cinema, Thirsk Chamber of Trade, North Yorkshire Rural Arts, and Hambleton District Council.

Thirsk Events Group has now appointed Geraint Williams Associates to develop the concept and run the 2007 Thirsk Festival.

Derek Gardner says: "As well as excellent artistic and entertainment value, festivals of this kind make an important impact on tourism, local trade and inward investment.

"Thirsk is buzzing on many fronts and we need, as a town, to maintain the growth and momentum of this important annual event."