THE punks have turned their back on Morecambe - despite a last-ditch city council bid to keep them in the resort.

The effort included upping the festival grant to £25,000 but the overture was wasted. And 'Wasted 2006' will now be held at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.

The punks have brought colour to the resort since moving from Blackpool and the news has rocked Lancaster's commitment to backing an even bigger event in 2006.

It planned to use the outdoor arena as a ticketed area, allowing up to an extra 2,000 tickets to be sold, and also agreed pay a further £5,000 grant and to stage 'Wasted' in August.

Council leader Cllr Ian Barker is disappointed with the decision and says: "Morecambe has had a long and successful relationship with the Punk Festival.

"For this reason cabinet agreed to contribute a substantial additional support and funding to help the Festival to grow in size and impact. We are, therefore, surprised they feel they cannot bring the festival back."

A statement from the organisers at Holidays in the Sun reads: "We have, after much thought and discussions with various parties, come to the decision to hold the 2006 Wasted Festival at The Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

"The festival started in Blackpool 10 years ago next year and we thought it would be nice to return to the original venue to celebrate this anniversary.

"Lancaster City Council could not offer a lot more support than they do."

It goes on: "We have it on good authority that there are 80,000 bed spaces available in Blackpool which means that not only will everyone be able to book a room but also that the prices will not be inflated because the festival is in town."