Ledbury Poetry Festival will not apply for a town centre drinks licence to revive the town party, organisers have announced.

Police successfully opposed a drinks licence in 2004 and the festival decided not to apply at all last year.

Festival director Dr Charles Bennett said the idea of enjoying a pint and entertainment in the town centre was part of the party's appeal.

He added: "Without a drinks licence, we don't think it's worth spending £3,000 on a party to which few people would come along."

The festival's alternative is an event which it hopes will involve most pubs and restaurants in town.

The new concept, called Poetry Night, will see live poetry, music or drama events all staged on the first Saturday evening of this year's festival, July 1.

In the next few weeks, Dr Bennett and trustee Peter Arscott will approach all pubs and restaurants to get them on board. The mass event will not involve the festival having to secure a drinks licence.

Dr Bennett said: "It seems to me that all of us really miss the town party and the perception last year was that the festival seemed a little quiet. We do like to give something back to the people of Ledbury."

He added: "In effect, it's putting on poetry fringe events all on one night. The Ledbury Scribes could read on that Saturday and we could ask The Prince of Wales to do their folk night at the same time and ask Seven to do a jazz night, which they did last year."

Another concept will be a Poetry Quiz Night, and local restaurants will be asked consider putting on a poetry-themed menu for the evening.

In the run-up to the evening, pupils from the John Masefield High School will perform street theatre in Ledbury town centre.