KEIGHLEY Festival’s annual funding is set to be pulled by Bradford Council.

Festival organisers claim they have been told that their annual grant – which dates back several decades – will be cut to zero next year.

The grant, which for many years was around £14,000 a year, has been cut to just £2,500 for this year’s seven-day event in July.

Keighley Town Council agreed to make up some of the shortfall this year by matching Bradford’s £2,500 grant.

But even this lifebelt could be lost next year as austerity measures bite further into local authority budgets.

Festival chairman Mark Hanson said: “We have been told to expect no financial help at all from Bradford next year, and no doubt Keighley Town Council will suffer more cuts too.

“However, as far as the festival is concerned, in order to counter this threat, rather than shrink I believe we should continue to expand.

“In the last four years Keighley Festival has seen its budget reduced by 70 per cent, yet with every cut we actually grow stronger.”

Mr Hanson said that where funding cuts might force other festivals to close down, Keighley was a “true community festival” that would survive.

He added: “Nearly all the events and functions arranged are by Keighley people for Keighley people, and with that kind of spirit how can we lose?”

Bradford’s decision to cut the grant has been backed by Keighley district councillors.

Cllr Khadim Hussain, who represents Keighley Central ward, described the loss of festival funding as “very sad”, but said the council had to find savings somewhere as part of its huge cutbacks.

He added: “I am very supportive of the festival and we will do whatever we can to make it a success. We will make sure we can find support from our infrastructure wherever we can.”

A spokesman for Bradford Council confirmed that budget reductions had led to a cut in direct, dedicated funding for festivals.

But he added: “ Keighley Festival will still be able to apply for smaller amounts of funding from the Small Arts Grants which are intermittently awarded to community groups around the district.”