THE promise of a cash sum could prompt punk revellers to desert Blackpool for Morecambe, The Citizen can reveal.

For the first time, punks flocked to Blackpool and the Winter Gardens for their annual gathering in July. This decision followed unresolved rows about the use of Morecambe's Festival Market.

But talks between Morecambe's city council and festival organisers, Holidays in the Sun, mean it's likely that the rival resort will take the popular Punk Festival back again.

However, Blackpool tourism bosses, who like the high-profile, fun event, say it's good for business and are doing their best to negotiate its return next year.

The town's traders and hoteliers have become big fans of the festival, which fills bedrooms and attracts world-wide publicity.

"We enjoyed hosting this great and colourful fun event which gave the town additional focus and went very well this summer," says Jane Seddon, head of tourism.

Talks between Morecambe's city council and festival organisers have resulted in a new deal which incorporates a cash enhancement (understood to be more than £20,000) the full use of

the Festival Market and help with logistics.

"We don't want to get involved in a bidding war, but we will be talking to the organisers to see if there is any way we can come to an agreement to keep the festival in Blackpool," adds Jane.

Morecambe councillors plan to suggest the event is held outside of the summer holiday season in order to encourage visitors to the resort during the quieter periods.

"Because Blackpool is a much bigger resort, we have no problems accommodating the festival in the height of the season," says Jane.