A FESTIVAL is set to make a glowing return to Ulverston's Ford Park following a year's absence.

At the upcoming annual general meeting of the Ulverston Lantern Festival Committee, it will be announced the festival will return to the town's largest green space.

Controversy reigned last year after the festival was moved to town centre, followed by disgust after a group of louts caused damaged to local shops after it concluded.

However, stakeholders are looking to the future, full of confidence of what 2018 will bring.

Lantern committee chairman, Chris Nelson, said: "The Ford Park trustees and new chief executive Jill Salmon have been very supportive of the Lantern Festival going back there. Their plans for changes to the entrance gateway should alleviate any safety concerns about getting the thousands of visitors in and out of the park."

Last year concerns over safe entry into the park saw it moved to the town centre at the 11th hour. Although the event itself was a resounding success, the aftermath was marred when drunken youths vandalised parts of The Gill, and smashed a window of Vision Express in Market Street.

To combat the problem of getting into the festival's finale at Ford Park, a planning application will be submitted to alter the park's entrance.

Two new entryways will be created by demolishing the stone in between four gate posts.

Mr Nelson continued: "The Ford Park trustees and new chief executive, Jill Salmon, have been very supportive of the Lantern Festival coming back, and their plans for changes to the entrance gateway should alleviate any safety concerns about getting the thousands of visitors in and out of the park.

"The changes need to go through the formal planning process, but we are hopeful that the work can be completed in time for the Festival to go ahead."

The festival is set to take place on Saturday September 15 with this year's theme being 'Under The Sea'.

This as well as many more aspects of the festival will be discussed at the festival committee's AGM on March 27, at the Rioja Restaurant in Market Street from 7pm. All are welcome to attend.

Mr Nelson said: "Holding the AGM in the function room at the Rioja bar - in the former HSBC bank building - may encourage more people to attend, and we very much appreciate the owners making the space available to us.

“The Lantern Festival simply cannot happen without people being prepared to give up their time to help with the organisation right throughout the year, as well as on the night itself. So, we are optimistic that there will be lots of new faces at the AGM to ensure that the Lantern Festival continues in the future."