A POPULAR annual music festival which raised thousands of pounds for a hospice has been axed due to drunken yobs.

Organisers of Woodfest say the event, which has coined-in £34,000 for Manorlands since it started seven years ago, is no longer viable.

Volunteers were forced to hire security staff and install fencing last year to prevent a recurrence of 2013 when booze-fuelled rowdies ran riot, starting fires and stealing property.

"Attendances were down last year and we feel this is because some people were deterred from going because of what had happened," said Andrew Wood, a senior fundraiser at the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice.

"Unfortunately a minority of troublemakers spoiled the event for our long-term supporters and caused security costs to rise dramatically.

"The security team did a fantastic job but people rightfully wanted their entry fees to provide care for our patients, not be spent on hiring SIA staff and fences.

"Therefore it is with regret that the Woodfest committee has decided not to continue with the event.

"I'd like to thank the committee for its support and the £34,000 raised towards our vital care in the past seven years."

At its peak, the festival – held at Cross Roads near Keighley – attracted 2,000 visitors and was a popular venue for bands.

Despite the axing of the event, landowner Richard Wood, on whose farm the festival took place, has vowed to continue supporting Manorlands.

He has taken part in the hospice's Starlight Hike and Mascot Gold Cup, raising nearly £600 in sponsorship from the two activities.

And he and many other Woodfest committee members have pledged to back new musical ventures planned in aid of the hospice.

One such event is Moorfest, being held at the Three Acres restaurant, Lees Moor, on July 11 and 12.

Andrew said: "We are delighted to have been chosen as a beneficiary of the event.

"We will be promoting that to our supporters in addition to other well-established musical fundraising events such as Proms on the Farm at Silsden and Groovy Happenings in Haworth."

Hospice fundraisers are also teaming-up with a newly-formed Music Helps Manorlands group to stage an event at the Octagon, Sandbeds, on July 3, and a new venture at Bolton Abbey in September.

Last month it was revealed that Manorlands will this year have to find an extra £200,000 to meet its running costs.