Weymouth kite festival will go ahead after funding cut

The two-day International Beach Kite Festival has been running since 1990

Weymouth's kite festival will go ahead this year after it was saved by volunteers when the borough council cut its funding.

The authority is cutting funding for the festival and some of the town's summer fireworks displays to save £20,000 a year.

At a meeting in October, Mike McManus, of Weymouth Carnival Committee, stepped in to take over the running of it.

The council confirmed it would be held on the bank holiday weekend, 3-5 May.

At its 2014-15 budget meeting on 20 February, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council decided to cut funding for the International Beach Kite Festival to save about £9,200.

By reducing the number of summer firework displays, which take place every Monday in August, to one during the Weymouth Carnival, it will also save £11,300.

Mr McManus said funding for the festival would be raised through sponsorship and extra trade stands would be brought in to cover running costs.