New arts event rises from Ludlow Festival ashes

But organisers say there are no guarantees a Shakespeare play will be staged.

The event will run from June 21 to June 30 in Ludlow Castle and other venues.

Today it was described as being a 'stop-gap' event by Ludlow Castle boss, Tom Till, who said he expected a Shakespeare play to return in 2014 as part of a full-blown event.

The new-look festival will be run by a different management group, after the former event collapsed with financial difficulties after more than 50 years.

Today Mr Till, from Powis Estates which owns Ludlow Castle, said officials in the town had reached a quick decision on next year's event and were now moving full steam ahead.

Shropshire's Only Fools and Horses star John Challis, better known as Boycie, was a staunch supporter of the old festival and gave his services for free in 2011. He led calls for a festival to stay in Ludlow. A statement from the Ludlow Arts Festival 2013 said a new team and format will lead to renewed interest.

It said: "The format will change from previous years – 2013 will be shortened to 10 days with a wider variety of performances and events.

"A programme is being worked up with the intention that details would become available early in the New Year and tickets available from mid-February."

Activities in Ludlow Castle will be run by professional event organisers Chris Davies and Chris Moreno and a separate fringe festival will be run by Anita Bigsby.

There will be a festival liaison group to oversee events. It will comprise Mr Davies and Mr Moreno, Miss Bigsby, Friends of the Festival, chairman Diane Lyle and Ludlow businesswoman Sara Pearce, who offered to run the event when the last festival collapsed.

Mr Davies has extensive experience of theatre and music. He is the agent for singer and musical theatre star Marti Pellow, among others.

Anyone interested in contributing to a new-look festival is invited to contact a group member.