MUSIC lovers across the Ribble Valley are celebrating after the organisers of the cancelled Sabden Live festival announced that it would return next year.

Fans were left disappointed in March after this year’s music festival, which attracts big crowds in the village at the foot of Pendle Hill, was called off by bosses.

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Organisers of the three-day event said that the committee could not dedicate the time and resources in order to stage the 2015 event.

Announcing the news on the event’s Facebook page, organiser Kevin Lingard said that instead a series of smaller events would be held in the rural village throughout the remainder of the year.

Now it has been officially confirmed that the popular event, which last year was held at Sabden Football Club in Lower Lane in the village, will return to the calendar in 2016.

The festival was started in 2010 as a one-day event at the Pendle Witch public house in Whalley Road and featured acts including Stealer, The Kicks, Mario Galea and Amy Barton, who all proved to be a big hit.

Neil Diamond tribute, Nearly Diamond, also appeared and funds were raised for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

In 2013 acts included Dave Finnegan, formerly of The Commitments, and money was raised for Drummer Lee Rigby, the Middleton solider who was killed in Woolwich, London.

A spokesman for the event, writing on it’s Facebook page, said: “Lots of people have been asking us over the weekend when Sabden Live is taking place in 2016.

“Well folks, we are pleased to announce Sabden Live 2016 will be taking place over two days from Saturday, May 28.

“Although its a year away, plans and preparations are now under way.

“Subject to a couple of alterations to our license, we are aiming for Sabden Live 2016 to be a free event.

“Watch this space for upcoming fund raising events and most of all, thanks everyone for the continued support.”

Cllr Albert Atkinson, who represents the Ribble Valley North district on Lancashire County Council, said: “It’s a great asset to the village and it very popular.

“The organisers get on some really great bands and it’s good news that it will be held again next year.

“The music festival really livens the place up and is great fun for everybody.

“The only downside is that parking in the village for the two days is murder.”