The organisers of Penryn Arts Festival have been awarded a £250 grant from Penryn Town Council to cover a shortfall in the event budget.

The group applied for the grant after a decision to reduce the festival duration from a week to three days meant it lost £701 from another grant that had been pledged prior to the event.

An application had also been made for £1,000 to Cornish arts funding group FEAST, although the festival organisers do not expect to receive the full amount requested.

Councillor Martin Mullins said: “I propose we give it to them. I understand where they're coming from and it's difficult. I suggest we top them up so they are set up for next year.”

Town clerk Michelle Davey said there had been £1,000 in the events budget earmarked for the festival, of which only 750 had been taken, so there would be no need to give them a grant.

Councillor Mullins added: “I want to help because they are doing good for the town, but I have misgivings. Are we keeping them afloat so they will fall down next year. We are getting them out of financial difficulties because two people usually end up running things, and I'm concerned that next year it will collapse completely.”

However Councillor John Langan said that last year the festival had been given more support than this year, and Councillor Mark Snowdon added that hopefully with council support it would be able to carry on.

Councillor David Garwood added: “At least it shows support to the two people who picked the festival up when the others dropped it.”