No truth in festival rumours

Lichfield Greenhill Bower festival is going ahead exactly as planned over the bank holiday weekend, despite the on-going paving works in the city centre.

Chairman of the event, Michael Mullarkey, said there had been growing concern amongst that the historic event might be down-scaled or cancelled altogether.

He urged people to turn out and support the festival, which runs tomorrow and Monday. The £1m city centre paving scheme started in January and is due to be completed by the end of June.

It has caused misery from the start as traders have been hit hard, residents disrupted and shoppers put off by construction, road closures and lack of parking.

Lichfield District Council organised the refurbishment of key streets and roads in six phases to reduce the impact on the city's shoppers and traders.

Mr Mullarkey said rumours were rife that the Bower was cancelled as a result.

"I want to stress the city centre is open as usual for the Bower weekend celebrations," he said. "There will be a fair in Market Square and Bird Street car park, and at Beacon Park on Monday. The street market will be held in Market Street on Monday.

"It has never been on the agenda for it to be cancelled, and I want to quash any rumours."

*Look out for pictures of the celebrations in your Express & Star.