ORGANISERS of Leigh Folk Festival have launched a fundraising campaign in a bid to keep the popular event free for music lovers.

The festival is entering its 25th year, but after making a £2,000 loss in 2015, questions were raised about its long-term future.

Festival treasurer Ian Flack even suggested last year's event could be the last unless they could find more ways to help fund it.

Now, a crowdfunding page has been set up to raise at least £5,000 within 35 days to help meet a shortfall caused by increasing costs.

Last year's losses were due to factors including the removal of council funding and the bill for rebranding the event and building a new website.

A statement from the organisers said: “Leigh Folk Festival has been free for the last 25 years, and we intent on keeping it that way.

"As the years have gone on, the festival has grown and the costs of putting on a large scale event have increased.

"We rely entirely on donations, sponsorship or grant funding, and in recent years all three of these areas have become increasingly difficult.

“This will help us to maintain the quality and diversity that Leigh Folk Festival so passionately embraces.

“This crowdfunding campaign will, if successful, go a long way toward ensuring that the 25th anniversary of Leigh Folk Festival is a huge success, and help with future events over the coming years.”

The page was launched on Sunday and had already raised £851 within a day.

Paul Collier, artistic director, said: “We needed to launch it as we need money to run the event in June.

“We’ve already raised more than £800, it’s a good start but it would be very nice to exceed the target. We need as much funding as we can get.

“We have had funding from the local authority and that has dried up for various reasons. We are looking at the long term sustainability of the event.

“This isn’t the only fundraising initiative, we have grant applications, local sponsorship and other local fundraising events.

“We are appealing directly to our grass roots supporters. It’s an event that’s grown year by year and as it’s expanded the costs have risen.”

The event costs between £15,000 and £20,000 per year and is run entirely by volunteers.

Leigh town councillor Carol Mulroney said: “As a town council we have always supported the folk festival. It brings a huge amount of interest and people into Leigh for the whole weekend.

“I hope they find the funding. It’s dry for all organisations who are trying to get funding for things.”

In return for donations, organisers are offering rewards such as living room gigs, printed posters and special edition vinyl.

This year's festival takes place in Old Leigh from June 23 to 26.

To donate visit leighfolkfestival.com/crowdfunder-campaign.