THE future of the Thornbury Arts Festival and annual Eisteddfod has been thrown into doubt.

The committee that runs the festival was rocked by the announcement this week that the current artistic director, Barbara Ray, will be stepping down next year.

The highly acclaimed festival attracts more than 2,500 visitors to the town over 10 days each year and has attracted leading figures to Thornbury, including Kate Adie, Sir David Frost, Sir Brian Rix and Barry Cryer.

Phyllida Parsloe, chairman of the Thornbury Arts Festival, said: "The usual thing is to do the job for three years but we are so badly stuck, Barbara has kindly said she will do one more year.

"The arts festival has been running for around 30 years and is such a big part of the town's calendar, no one wants to see it end or be compromised in any way."

The Arts Festival, held in April each year, offers a range of entertainment from guest speakers and book signings to dramas and musical performances.

Dates have already been booked for the 2009 arts festival, but the committee of volunteers which helps run the event says it is now urgently searching for a new leader.

"We really need someone who is prepared to take on the role, they could work alongside Barbara for next year's festival and learn the ropes. If this doesn’t happen I don’t know what we will do," said Ms Parsloe.

Adding to the festival woes, the future of the popular Eisteddfod event, which includes many local school choirs, is also facing an uncertain future.

"The Eisteddfod is more of an immediate problem. It is split into two halves, the speech and drama, which has someone to co-ordinate, but the musical side of the competition currently has no one and we are running out of time to get ready for next year," said Ms Parsloe.

She added: "We, the committee, are so grateful for the years of support we have had from the people of Thornbury but we really need people to come forward to keep the festival and Eisteddfod going."

The 2009 Thornbury Arts Festival will be held from April 17 to 26.

Anyone interested in taking on the role of artistic director or co-ordinating the Eisteddfod should contact Phyllida Parsloeon 01454 419988 or email phyllida.parsloe@tiscali.co.uk.