A cash sum and the use of the Festival Market has tempted the punks back to Morecambe, The Citizen can reveal.

Negotiations between the city council and festival organisers, Holidays in the Sun, look certain to bring the popular festival back to the resort.

A cash enhancement (understood to be more than £20,000) the full use of the Festival Market and help with logistics is included in the deal.

Last year the punks went to Blackpool following rows over the use of the Festival Market.

But the Arts Council, who gave grant money to build the multi-purpose market hall, has told the authority to use it for arts events or risk paying back the cash.

Local traders and hoteliers are big fans of the festival, which attracts world-wide publicity and generates up to £1 million for the local economy.

At a Cabinet meeting this week councillors agreed that further negotiations with the promoters should take place to discuss the idea of the event being held outside of the summer holiday season in order to encourage visitors to the resort during the quieter periods.

The Festival Market traders are also to be consulted on the issue.

Cllr James Airey said: "We would love to see the Punk Festival return to Morecambe.

Cabinet fully recognises the importance of this festival to the resort, not least in terms of the economic benefits it brings to the many businesses in the area.

We have therefore agreed today that the council should make a firm offer in order to try and secure its return to Morecambe next year."

Cllr Geoff Wilson added: "The punks fill the local hotels, they don't cause any trouble and they attract a lot of publicity for the resort.

It would be great to have them back.