THE Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival will be back on Colne on August Bank Holiday Weekend next year.

The full council of Colne Town Council on Tuesday and agreed to continue with the 28-year-old event for 2018.

Councillors recognised the 'enormous financial impact' the festival had on the local economy and just how well supported the weekend was.

The meeting decided that: "The ambition for next year is to deliver a bigger and better event, but at less cost, made possible by having learnt so many things from this first year of delivery."

Artists are now being booked and it is intended that an improved web site and new ticket offer will be available from December 2017 so blues and festival fans can enjoy regular announcements as more artists commit to nest year's event.

This year's Blues Festival has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Lancashire Small Event Tourism Award and Barnfield Construction Ltd, have already confirmed their support for next year.

Tim Webber chairman and managing director of Barnfield Construction Ltd said: “We were delighted to see Colne Town Council take on the management of this event and successfully deliver a fantastic event.

"By committing our support at this very early stage, we hope this will help keep Colne well and truly on the Blues map and are looking forward to working with Colne Town Council next year on making this such a great event for many in and around Colne to enjoy”.

Clr Joe Cooney, chair of Colne Town Council's finance employment and services committee and also chair of the blues working group, said: “To have Barnfield Construction, not only one of our major local businesses, but also a keen supporter of the Blues Festival, on our side so early is just brilliant and is hopefully one of a number of businesses who can add their support to the festival.

"We have listened to lots of feedback from festival goers, local residents and our outstanding team of volunteers, who were simply the best over the weekend, and will be making some improvements including launching a limited number of 'all venue all weekend' festival tickets in the very near future”

Colne Town Council took over the Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival last year from Pendle Leisure Trust.