THE frustrated organiser of a charity concert cancelled due to red tape is considering standing for the district council to give the youth of Kidderminster a voice.

Nick Townsend, who fronts rock band Weak 13, has been forced to cancel the Townhall 'o' ween Party at Kidderminster Town Hall on October 27 due to a last-minute hitch over insurance.

The event was to be a celebration of musical achievements in the town and aimed to raise money for the Kidderminster's Mayor's charity which is this year supporting the Talking Newspaper for the Blind.

Mr Townsend said: "This is not going to discourage me from doing other town hall events.

"The experience has taught me a lot. In future I am going to sort out the insurance and everything else out myself. I am going to make sure the next town hall gig is more successful than the one I organised in August."

The disappointed 30-year-old added he was now considering standing in next year's district council elections. "I'm going to make sure something positive comes out of it and I want to make sure young people get a voice so next May I am considering going into politics," he said.

Insurance for public liability is a requirement of the conditions of hiring the town hall and Mr Townsend told the Shuttle/Times & News he had hoped Kidderminster Charter Trustees would underwrite the concert as it was in aid of the mayor's charity.

He said he had contacted mayor, Peter Dyke, who he understood would be asking the Charter Trustees to fund the insurance. He was only told last Thursday that they had declined, he said.

Martin Fellows, clerk for the trustees, said: "The Charter Trustees were not formally asked to underwrite this concert."

He added that he was aware of the difficulties that had arisen and was investigating.

Mr Dyke said he did not wish to comment on the situation.

At the 11th hour Mr Townsend tried to arrange the insurance cover himself but found it was too short notice.

Andrew Dickens, head of cultural, leisure and commercial services at the district council, said: "Nick Townsend has always done an excellent job with the promotion of rock concerts at the town hall. He has organised three on previous occasions which were underwritten by different organisations.

"The concert held in August was underwritten by the 150th Anniversary of Kidderminster Town Hall Group.

"Unfortunately on this occasion the promoters have been unable to establish public liability insurance or anyone prepared to underwrite the concert."

He added: "We are in support of concerts of this kind for young people at the town hall and had agreed to provide tickets and sell them from the town hall office. We do, however, have to ensure that all of our hirers comply with the conditions of hire."

After cancelling the event, Mr Townsend said: "It was supposed to be a celebration of musical achievements in Kidderminster."