THE organiser of Preston's biggest music festival could be turning his back on Preston's Guild Hall for next year's event.

Brian Gumbley, who masterminded the recent Preston Jazz and Blues Festival, says the venue let him down badly, and claims he has lodged a formal complaint with the council.

The festival, which ran last week, was held at venues across the city including the Holiday Inn, Roper Hall and the Harris Museum.

But the largest events were at the Guild Hall, with music legends including Acker Bilk and Humphrey Lyttleton helping to sell hundreds of tickets with much of the money raised going to Preston's Cancer Help, Vine House.

But Mr Gumbley says the venue failed to promote the events properly and is demanding an apology. He said: "A group of us will be sitting down in two or three weeks time, to evaluate what has happened and decide what steps to take for next year's festival, with possibly the help of the Guild Hall, but we don't know what will happen. I want them to apologise and I want them to apologise to my sponsors."

The festival, now in its second year, featured more than 30 acts.

But Mr Gumbley said: "The Guild Hall didn't promote the events by posters, or flyers, for any of the entertainers. It has given a knock to Preston's credibility to run a major event."

Councillor Veronica Afrin, executive member for community, regeneration and leisure, said: "We believe the Guild Hall team did everything they could to help Mr Gumbley.

"The Guild Hall has had its most successful year ever, hosting 700 events and this is the first complaint we've had. But we will look into the issues he's raised.