After serious concerns over its future, Fishguard's famous music festival is back from the brink of extinction , promising a packed programme of events and concerts to be held in the town next summer.

After the festival's musical director of 36 years, John S Davies, resigned last year, along with long-standing co-ordinator Marion Butler, it seemed that the closure of the the international music event was imminent.

After bringing prominent musical players to the town for nearly four decades, Mr Davies stood down following crisis talks last August, The musical director said that he needed to be free of the external influences being placed on musical development "with its emphasis on statistical evidence of success rather than the music itself and political correctness draining the enthusiasm."

A public meeting called last January by Arts Officer Christine Willison injected some of that enthusiasm back into the festival and a small committee was formed to look at the possibility of running the 38th Fishguard International Music Festival.

The new committee has now devised an interim programme, bringing world class musicians to the stages of the north Pembrokeshire port once again.

World famous pianist, Peter Donohoe, has been booked to play three concerts this year and will continue his support of the festival by offering to be artist in residence next year.

Other acts lined up are The National Orchestra of Wales, the Swingle Singers and Ray McVay's Glenn Miller Orchestra.

The festival will be held between 21st and the 27th July and will incorporate a wide variety. By popular demand the majority of the concerts will be staged in Fishguard, a departure from the last few years where Haverfordwest has been the main venue.

Festival chairman, Lawton Phillips, believes that the reputation built up by the festival over the years has enabled it to continue to attract world class performers.

"Many artists hold Fishguard as one of their favourite venues," he said. "People travel from all over Britain to attend the Fishguard festival, and this must benefit the economy of the area."

"We have heard in the past of the economical decline of Fishguard and moves are afoot to regenerate the town.

"Let the revival of this much-loved festival be the starting point of that regeneration."

He emphasised the importance that the festival plays in the musical education of young musicians from the area.

"The opportunities local students have had to listen to the very best music, live, must in some way inspire them to further their careers in music.

"It is very satisfying when you see a seven-year-old local cellist develop over the years and end up playing with the National Orchestra of Wales," he said.

" Similarly two aspiring brothers have been catapulted from Goodwick Brass Band up to The Cory Band who are presently top of the Championship section.

"This would be akin to a footballer playing for Merlins Bridge, taking the place of Wayne Rooney of Manchester United."