A POPULAR festival celebrating local music and art is to take a fallow year this summer, its loss described as a pity by a local councillor.

Rock The Fells organisers Pete Mills and Dan Colagiovanni have announced the two-day event will "follow in the footsteps of Glastonbury".

The festival's home, at Bootle Village Hall's Big Flat Field, is still recovering after torrential rain last time out.

Mr Mills said: "Along with a flood of people, last year we were also treated to a flood of biblical proportions.

"The weather was insane, but you've got to love a Cumbrian summer.

"The field hasn't recovered yet and, with it being multi-use for children's sports lessons and community activities, it wasn't right to expose it to the traffic it had in 2016 and 2017 if there was a risk it would have long term damage."

A charity single, called Caught in the Rain, was released ahead of last year's spectacle, featuring songs from local rock band It's Pronounced Legend, and young singer-songwriter Chloe Pinney.

The single raised money for Bottle and District First Responders, the charity partner for the 2017 event.

Mr Mills said: "We have been approached by several people to move site, but we've always seen this as our home.

"Instead, we're going to use the extra time to focus on long-term development."

Deputy mayor of Millom Cllr Jane Micklethwaite said it was a shame the town would miss out on a popular event.

She said: "I can understand the reasons for it but it is a pity they can't find an alternative venue. It's a really popular event I've never heard anyone speak ill of it at all.

"I understand the agricultural reasons but, it is a pity there can't be an alternative."

Organisers are already working with local businesses, community funds and arts organisations ahead of the festival's return.

Mr Mills said: "With 2019 and beyond firmly in focus we're going to use the next few weeks and months to ensure we're back with a bang.

"There will be events and activities coming soon for everyone to get involved in in advance of the next festival."

Local talent showcased

AN array of local talent has taken to the stage in festival's two-year lifetime so far.

Popular bands The Chadelics, Deatbeats and Wasted Saints to the stage in 2016, before The Twitchers, Soloman and Natterjack followed last year, along with a range of workshops and children's entertainment.

Festival has raised thousands for charity

SINCE starting in 2016, the festival has raised thousands for charity.

Organised as part of Barrow primary school teacher Danielle Fitzsimons' Fighting Fitz campaign, the festival helped raise both awareness and money for Cancer Research UK.

Along with Mr Mills and Mr Colagiovanni, the trio were joined by then-project manager of Bootle 2020 Trudy Harrison.

The success of the festival encouraged organisers to bring it back in July 2017 with charity partner Bootle and District Community First Responders on board.