THE city council has given its backing to the Salisbury Contemporary Craft & Heritage Festival by providing it with a grant for 2015 and 2016.

The event, which is now in its second year, costs £80,000 and the £7,500 grant will go towards the running costs.

Hosted in the Cathedral grounds last year it was attended by 3,000 people and the Rotary Club, who organise the festival, hope that it will continue to grow and become self-funding by 2018.

Councillors described the event last year as "fantastic" and hoped that it could bring money and visitors to the city.

Cllr Ian Tomes said: "I thought it was a very good event to have in Salisbury and attracted people from all over the South West. It should be something that we put money into."

Yet concern was expressed by John Lindley who said it was "unacceptable" Salisbury precept payers would be forced to pay twice by being charged an entrance fee.

"This event will go on regardless," Cllr Michael Pope added. "Honestly if I had control of money this event would not be my first priority."

The council passed it by ten votes to three but declined to fund the event in 2017 due to council elections.