HUNDREDS of young people in Pendle can look forward to a music-filled Bank Holiday weekend, after the green light was given for the popular Up4It stage.

The council said that the majority of neighbours living or working close to the stage opposite Colne Town Hall backed the free outdoor event, following a consultation earlier this year.

Run by the Youth Action Trust for Pendle, it has been welcomed by the police, the leisure trust and the council as a means of engaging young people rather than them feeling left out of the main events.

Director John Kirk, of Pendle Council, said: "Up4It is designed for younger music fans who are attracted to the Blues Festival but want to hear their kind of music.

"This outdoor stage is a well-managed, safe event to interest young people and keep them out of trouble, which is good for everyone."

Recommendations by neighbours to increase the number of stewards behind the stage have been taken up and the stage will close each night at 11pm.