Flags flown for the Bromyard Festival of Town Criers may be grounded for the second year running.

The decorative flags were not displayed last year, as the cost of insurance was too high.

This year, the organising committee was quoted an extra £600 on top of its normal premium of nearly £300. The additional fee covers volunteers climbing up ladders to hang the flags and any damages caused if a flag were to fall and hurt a passer-by.

Festival chairman Peter Dauncey said: "It's just one of those things. If a volunteer was to fall off a ladder and was injured, you couldn't just say 'you volunteered mate so tough'. They have responsibilities and families, so we have to have insurance."

Festival organisers do not want to lose the traditional flags, so they applied to the town council for the necessary funding.

Mr Dauncey said: "We run to a very tight budget. Without the generous support of local Bromyard people we could not even keep the festival going."

At a meeting on Monday, the town council's administration and finance committee granted the festival £138 towards the cost of insurance. Full council will need to approve this decision.

The festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, April 29 and 30, with more than 60 town criers and escorts from four nations expected to attend.

There will be a craft fair at the Bromyard Centre over the weekend and a prize presentation and dinner dance on the Saturday evening at the Falcon Hotel.

Tickets, priced at £9.50, are selling fast. To book, call Joan Dauncey on 01885 482898.