THE man who worked "eight days a week" transforming the "posh" Worcester Three Choirs Festival into something that could be enjoyed by everyone has stepped down.

Chairman Paul Vaughan was the driving force behind last year's festival and was credited with bringing it into the 21st Century.

The 57-year-old said he had greatly enjoyed the experience of running the festival but it was time he was replaced by someone younger.

He said: "I had a fantastic time as chairman but it was an eight-day week and I have my own business to run at the same time.

"We tried to bring it up-to-date and attract young people and those who thought such an event was only for posh people to get involved and change the key as it were. I think we did as it was extremely successful.

"But now it is time for someone willing to give it a real kick and look forward to 2008 and two festivals beyond."

Last year, the Three Choirs - hosted by Worcester every third year and Gloucester and Hereford the other two - involved choirs, orchestras, musicians and opera groups performing all over the city.

The Worcester Festival (formerly the Worcester Fringe Festival), which runs alongside it was also the brainchild of Mr Vaughan.

He added: "I started the Fringe in 1999 and Chris Jaeger then took over and turned it into an annual event. He is doing a marvellous job and a yearly festival is just what Worcester needed," he added.

It is not yet known who will take over as chairman for the 2008 Three Choirs Festival.