THE future of this year's Woodford Festival has been secured after the council agreed to cough up £4,000 to help pay for it.

Fears had been raised by organisers over funding for the nine day series of events, after they failed to get a grant from the National Lottery.

But at an Area Two Committee meeting last night, councillors agreed to stump up £4,000 for the festival, along with an extra £2,000 contingency fund.

Despite the "fantastic" news, organiser Anny Wortley-Millek said there was still work to do.

She said: "I think it may have to be a credit crunch festival this year.

"We're so pleased the council agreed to spend this money but we still do have a way to go.

"The economy is affecting everybody and businesses are not doing very well, so understandably they are not very enthusiastic about spending a lot of money like this."

Last year's festival - the first of its kind - featured more than 100 events spanning over nine days, attracting widespread praise across the community.

News of the grant comes as a draft programme of events for this year's festival, which takes place between Saturday October 3 and Sunday October 11, is announced.

Events already on the schedule include a Strictly Come Dancing-style evening, with ballroom dancing backed by a big band.

In keeping with the dancing theme, there are hopes for a Scottish ceilidh and various cabaret-style events.

Other activities on the cards include an arts trial, music performances, a beer festival, a green fair and a project encouraging children to grow their own plants in allotments.

So far 56 events have been sketched out, but fellow organiser Ron Wortley-Millek said he expected the total to grow in the coming months.

He added: “Just like last year we know there are plenty more events to come, it’s getting bigger and bigger by the day.”

Last year’s event cost roughly £11,000.

For more information on the festival, and how to help out and sponsor it, visit woodfordfestival.org.uk