Droitwich Saltfest will remain as a stand-alone event after an outcry over a plan to merge it with another food festival.

A plan to join the popular festival with the Droitwich Food Festival, was thwarted after new organisers came forward to take on the Saltfest.

The merger had been put forward as a possible solution when Wychavon District Council said they did not want to be as heavily involved in the organisation as in previous year.

But the Droitwich Waterways Trust stepped in along with the landlord of the Gardeners Arms, in Vines Lane, to allow the not-for-profit festival to retain its identity - something it has enjoyed since its inception in 2006.

Trustee of the Droitwich Waterways Trust, Sandy Laird, 84, also town councillor for Droitwich Spa, said: “We got together with Simon Berry from the Gardeners Arms, to take the lead with the organisation.

“I’m delighted it’s going ahead and there’s going to be many stalls holders demonstrating their products - well over 100.”

Steven Knight, spokesman for Wychavon District Council, said: “The original proposal to merge it with the Droitwich Food Festival would’ve meant the festival wouldn’t have been a stand-alone event.”

Wychavon District Council has given an undisclosed sum to support the running costs this year.

The new community-led direction is hoped to continue for future events.

Mr Laird added: “We’ve thought about setting up a company now to promote the festival in future."

Saltfest 2019 will take place in the Vines Park area on the weekend of September 7 and 8.

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