A POPULAR Cumbrian music festival has announced it has made the 'difficult decision' to bring the festival to an end after over two decades in the town of Silloth.

Silloth Music and Beer Festival was started almost 21 years ago in the town, becoming a popular event throughout West Cumbria.

Each year the festival saw four days of entertainment throughout the festival weekend in June.

However, after rising costs and a number of other festivals springing up in the county in recent years, the committee announced on Thursday, January 25 that the decision had been made not to carry on with the festival.

A statement said: "Silloth Music Festival committee is sorry to announce that we have taken the difficult decision to end the festival after its wonderful 21 year run.

"We offer our heartfelt thanks to all who have supported and sponsored us over the years."

Although organisers have said they are sad to see the end of an era, they say the last 21 have been a great success, so leave with fond memories of the event and it's many years of good times.

Simon Addison, chair of the committee who organise Silloth Music and Beer Festival said: "It's really the cost, and recuperating those costs. There are so many events going on now at a similar time there are only so many crowds to go round.

"We've had a good run, a great run of 21 years.

"It's a great feeling that it's been as successful over all the years it has. We have seen many festivals come and go in that time and we carried on... but I suppose things come to an end and we have gone out on a high."

When asked about his fondest memories of the festival, Simon said: "Just the crowd really and everybody coming down to sunny Silloth, the sun always shines on Silloth."

Simon said the organisers wished to say a huge thank you to all of the volunteers who had helped over the years, saying the festival could not have run for as long as it did without their support.

Speaking about what he would say to the crowds who have attended over the years, Simon said: "Just thank you, they have been great, to come to Silloth which lets face it is a bit out of the way, it's just been great."