ACCUSATIONS of elitism have been levelled at Beaminster Festival by town councillors.

Councillors were considering an appeal for financial support from festival organisers for this year's event at their meeting on Monday but councillors bemoaned the loss of the opening street party with local soul band DT8.

Cllr Steve Norris said by not having the popular band at the opening music event the festival had lost something and was not such an inclusive event.

He said he couldn't recommend a grant unless the festival put on something more 'popularist'

He said: "It was one of the few things that used to bring the town together. I think it is considered quite elitist by the town."

In its letter asking for support Beaminster Festival organisers said: "It is now a very well established festival and brings a great deal of entertainment to the town to be enjoyed by townspeople.

"It also brings visitors to local traders by the way of catering, accommodation and general trade.

"It is also a large community event that involves at least 50 local volunteers to set it up and run."

Chairman Cllr Christopher Turner said the 'elitist' label had always been an accusation levelled at it in the past.

Cllr Janet Page said what organisers ought to do is have a street party as afternoon tea so children can attend and morph into the DT8 event later in the evening.

Beaminster Town Council gave the festival £400 last year and has set aside a similar amount in this year's budget.

Cllr Harris agreed to festival was a draw for the town in general, but added: "I would be more comfortable proposing putting some money towards it if they did more for the general populace."

New Councillor Chris Baker said it might be more appropriate for the council to sponsor an event for the whole town rather than just give money in general to the festival.

Cllr Janet Page said: "I think this is the one things that bring huge amount of business into Beaminster. We can't be seen to turn our backs on it."

Festival director Nigel Corbett told the News that the festival would be happy to contribute to a DT8 event but not during the festival.

He said: "Really it was the victim of its own success. The festival is not able to cope with it it - the last time in 2014 it was very, very successful but got tricky at the end in various ways. People got fed up waiting to get through the Square and drove through regardless, there was glass on the road we hadn't cleared up.

"The police certainly had reservations as well because it is so successful and were not overly enthusiastic about a repetition."

Mr Corbett said there was a street party with music to launch the event but it would end earlier at 9pm.

He said there were a number of local musicians involved, inlcuding from Beaminster School and youth club.

He also said he'd made sure the festival programme had a good mix of classical and non-classical music.

Councillors agreed to have a meeting with organisers to voice their concerns and see what could be done, if not this year, then next.