ORGANISERS of the financially-stricken Ross-on-Wye International Festival are hoping to turn its fortunes around by winning local support, writes ANITA HOWELLS.

They are waiting with 'baited breath' to hear whether Ross Town Council will give £10,000 to help fund a second major arm of the festival.

A town centre programme of fringe gigs is planned to secure its future and help wipe off the £71,000 deficit accumulated since the festival began in 1996.

It had been hoped that last year's festival, the most successful to date, which starred the Super Furry Animals and Toploader, would halve the debt. However a bent roof strut at the side of the main stage meant substantial losses when two days of events had to be cancelled.

Festival bosses are involved in an action against the venue suppliers to recoup their losses, the town council has learned in a letter from director Helen Wragg.

She said the rapidly growing project has the overwhelming support of its sponsors, local constituents and funding bodies.

"In a bid to clear our deficit, we have applied to the Arts Council of England for a recovery grant. We have been accepted through to the strategic stock-take stage which will take place in the coming weeks," she wrote.

Festival spokesman, Jim Smith, says there is a lot of money due to come in but a European backer had unfortunately pulled out.