THE future of a successful Malvern arts festival is in doubt because no one can be found to co-ordinate the event.

Avril Spickernell and Ros Rowberry, who organised the first Malvern Visual Arts Festival last year, had hoped it would become a biennial event.

The week-long festival in June included 20 exhibition venues, with a national open art exhibition, sixth form and children's exhibitions, sculpture park, lectures and courses.

"It was so popular that the tourist office is receiving enquiries about the date of this year's festival," said Mrs Rowberry.

"Avril and I started working on the last one in September and worked on it nearly every day, writing so many letters.

"Now all the groundwork is done and the contacts are made, we would like to hand it over to someone else to organise one for 2002.

"We would be prepared to run another open exhibition if we could find suitable premises. We hung 350 pictures at The Grove last year.

"There are others willing to do some work, but we need someone to co-ordinate it all."

The two approached Malvern Town Council in the hope that town projects officer Selina Saveker might be able to take it on.

Last year's town mayor Penny Vere was an enthusiastic supporter and the council gave £1,000 towards the cost of the festival.

Town clerk Stuart McDonough said the council was keen to support the event, but did not have the staff resources to take on the organisation.

"The council is not an event provider. We believe it's very important for any event to be supported by the community," he said.

"If a co-ordinator can be found, we are prepared to consider a grant and will give them all the support we can."