A PUBLIC meeting has been called to air concerns about the forthcoming Settle Festival.

The event, which will run from August 31 to September 2, is expected to attract more than 20,000 people on each of the three days and has already attracted big name performers including Madness, the Stranglers and the Levellers.

The festival - dubbed "Glastondale" - is the first of its kind in the district and will be held on a 65-acre site off Settle bypass, just below Giggleswick Station.

It has the full support of the local authorities, police and highways officials.

But concern has been expressed by the chairman of Rathmell Parish Meeting and Ribblebanks parish councillor Richard Metcalfe.

He said: "I have great concerns that this event will cause major disruption and other problems in Rathmell and the surrounding areas."

Now, a public meeting of the parish council has been called on Tuesday at 7.30pm at Rathmell Reading Room.

A presentation will be given by the festival organisers.

Festival director Mark Dale told the Herald: "We have had a lot of positive comments and very little opposition."

He added that plans for the festival were progressing well and a licence application had been submitted to Craven District Council.

Local people are also being encouraged to get involved, and one of the objectives of the festival is to provide residents with opportunities to build up experience and skills in a wide range of areas.

Several people have already come forward and are taking on various roles to co-ordinate and progress specific areas of work.

The festival will provide a wide range of attractions as diverse as puppets and orchestral music to strolling minstrels and well-known bands.

Its website has just gone live and can be found at www.settlefestival.co.uk