A NEW company to run Ilkley's planned sport and culture festival should be established within the next week.

Bradford district councillor Chris Greaves - a chartered accountant - has been chosen to keep an eye on the finances of the new organisation.

He said: "By the end of the week we should exist as Ilkley Summer Festival Limited because until that happens we can't do anything. It is my job to make sure the numbers add up and keep an eye on how it is working financially."

He explained that the role of the new company would be to enable the various groups and organisations to participate in the festival, rather than organise it.

The company would produce a programme, supply venues such as marquee tents, set up the festival web site and provide other support services to the organisations taking part.

At a meeting at Ilkley Town Hall, Coun Greaves (Con, Rombalds) was chosen as the financial expert on the board of directors.

Other directors will bring other skills to the board to enable the festival to succeed. Members include: district councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Con, Ilkley), Ilkley resident Neil Stevens, Ilkley Parish Clerk Miggy Bailey, Liz Bagshaw and Andrew Jennings from Ben Rhydding Cricket Club, Paul Parkinson from Glovers Garage and Ilkley resident Vincent Pickersgill.

During the meeting the directors took advice from Bradford Council officer Liz Grove who outlined the various grants for which the festival could apply and she even informed the board of four marquee tents which the council made available free of charge for such events.

Suggested events for the festival which begins on August 1, include sports competitions, with a possible match between Ben Rhydding Cricket Club and the Lord's Taverners, farmers' markets, a fun day by the riverside and a free music concert at Ben Rhydding or even on The Grove.

The success of the street party on The Grove for the Queen's Silver Jubilee has prompted calls for a repetition during the festival. Entertainers such as Elkie Brooks and Ken Dodd have been mentioned as possible stars of the event.

Coun Greaves said that every attempt would be made to get sponsorship for the project, meaning that some events would be free and most groups would be able to make an income for themselves out of the event rather than all the profits going to the festival company.

He said: "Our aim is not to make a profit out of local organisations, it is to get enough grants and people paying in to boost the whole thing.

"If year one works out, we hope that year two will be even bigger."

The key to the festival's success is modern technology. With a web site and e-mail, organisations can add events at short notice and potential customers can see at a glance what is available during the festival and keep abreast of changes.

Coun Greaves said the role of the festival company would be more of an enabler than an organiser.

"We won't be running everything, we will be encouraging everybody else to run things," said Coun Greaves.