First it was cancelled, then it was saved, now its future has been secured for three years.

Just as organisers celebrated the news that Maidstone River Festival will return this year, councillors approved a cash injection.

With five weeks to go before the festival is staged on the River Medway again, Maidstone council's cabinet agreed an increased grant and pledged the same amount for the following two years.

A delighted River Festival chairman David Knight said: "As a voluntary organisation we depend on contributions by local organisations and businesses."

The festival had been in doubt over the introduction of event charging for policing.

Council leader Cllr Chris Garland said: "We promised Maidstone would be more fun – and this is just the start."

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