A POPULAR open air rock music festival at Bedale is being scrapped in its present form this year because of costs associated with demands for extra security.

A smaller indoor attraction is being planned after organisers decided that they could not afford to implement the major changes to the Rock in the Park event in June called for by police following concerns about assaults and excessive drinking last year.

About 1,000 people have attended annual evening performances by local bands in the grounds of Bedale Hall, representing the climax of a day of events that starts with the annual gala of Bedale scout and guide group with the traditional parade of decorated floats through the town.

Police said changes were needed to control under-age drinking and the amount of alcohol consumed generally. Recommendations included qualified security staff, a licensed bar with a designated drinking area and a temporary fence beyond which officers would patrol, but the organising committee said these would mean extra costs and an admission charge might have to be imposed when entrance has traditionally been free.

The committee has now decided that the risks involved in following the recommendations would be too great and an alternative event will be held inside the hall on June 21 from 6.30pm to 11pm - but numbers will be limited and a charge will be made for tickets.

The event will feature about five local bands headlined by The Conspirators, who have just made their first record with the help of former Fairport Convention singer Judy Dyble.

Committee spokesman Mike Barningham said: "It will not be run as Rock in the Park this year. Volunteer helpers seem to be reducing in numbers and the additional costs involved in employing security staff and putting up fencing mean we would end up losing a lot of money.

"This and the fact that we have no-one to underwrite the event meant it would be too much of a risk to take. It is not an entire loss but it is disappointing because it began as a free event for the people of Bedale. This sort of thing is happening everywhere with festivals and parades because of insurance and health and safety requirements.

"If we can get enough volunteers and underwrite the event, we might run it again, but it would have to be under the terms the police want."

Mr Barningham told the town council last month that it might cost £1,300 for fencing and £1,000 for security staff in addition to spending on the stage, a licence and medical cover.