THE organiser of Bromyard Folk Festival has warned of the financial loss facing the town if repairs to the Church Street bridge go badly.

Annie Jones said festivals like the one in Bromyard are estimated to bring in around £500,000 to host towns.

She is concerned that festival-goers will not have access to the town if the rebuilding of the Church Street bridge, over Station Road, over-runs and clashes with the festival, whose site is just outside town on the other side of the bridge.

Once building begins, the bridge will be completely closed to traffic and pedestrians.

Mrs Jones said: "We would use the same site but if we are not able to use all the facilities in the town then Bromyard will be all the poorer for it.

"In effect the festival could be in Scotland if we can't get into the town."

Mrs Jones issued her warning after studying plans for repairs of the bridge during a one-day Herefordshire Council consultation exercise held at Bromyard Leisure Centre on Monday.

She said the festival would go ahead but she had not been convinced by what she saw.

"I'm worried, I haven't been reassured at all," she said.

The repairs are due to take place between the Bromyard Gala, which ends on July 6 and the festival, which starts on September 12.

They are expected to take around six or seven weeks, leaving only three weeks leeway before any delays could clash with the folk festival.

Herefordshire Council contracts manager Stewart Barton listened to queries and comments from the public at the consultation.

He said a finish time for the £180,000 scheme would be known in early June when the contract is awarded.

Bromyard and Winslow Town Council is also concerned and has called a special meeting to discuss the plans and talk with Hereford-shire Council officers.

The council will meet at its offices in Rowberry Street at 7pm on Monday, April 7.