A MUSIC festival has been thrown a possible lifeline just days after organisers announced it was to be scrapped.

The shock announcement that Coalfields festival - held in Darton every summer since 2004 - would not be returning was made via its Facebook page last Friday evening.

But on Tuesday it was revealed organisers are now in talks with a charity organisation to look at keeping the popular festival running.

A post on the festival’s Facebook page said: “This has happened very quickly and nothing is 100 per cent set in stone as yet due to planning and licensing but it’s looking very positive, and they would want to keep things running as the family community festival it always has been.

“We can’t give much more information at this moment but keep July 14 free.”

The Chronicle understands increasing costs, logistics and tighter regulations are some of the reasons why organisers were forced to drop the event.

“Throughout the years the festival has been supported by hundreds of local acts, including notable local celebrities like Sam Nixon, Rusty Egan (Visage), Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet) and Harry Myatt (OFB),” an earlier statement said.

“We would like to thank all the bands, singers and other artists without whom Coalfields would not be possible. Along with all these performers there have been so many volunteers, stage managers and other folks who worked tirelessly to bring a festival to the folks of Barnsley.

“Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. The community group now feels the event has outgrown them and have decided, reluctantly, that Coalfields 2017 was the last.”

Hundreds commented on that post saying it was a shame to lose it, particularly given that LIVE in Barnsley, a free town centre music festival, was also axed last year.

A photograph of the group handing over a £25,000 donation to * Barnsley Hospice* as a result of the last event also prompted a special comment from hospice staff. It said: “On behalf of everyone at Barnsley Hospice, but particularly our patients and their families who are undoubtedly the true beneficiaries of the money that has been raised through the festivals, a heartfelt thank you. What an incredible bunch of people you are, Barnsley at its best., ”

The music festival was set up in 2004 by Paul Marsh who was asked to organise it as part of the Darton Carnival by the Heart of Darton group.

It was a success and continued for the following year. However, it soon became clear the music festival had outgrown the carnival and the independent M-Fest was born.

A community group was set up to manage M-Fest - the group’s members being Paul Marsh, Steve Duffield, Tony Barron and Jo Szucs. The aim was to raise as much money as possible for local charities and in particular Barnsley Hospice.

The event continued to grow and in 2014 it rebranded as Coalfields Festival held at Darton Cricket club.

Last year numbers attending reached almost 5,000, making it the second largest event in Barnsley after football matches.