Tenth Bryn-fest is 'under threat'

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Bryn Terfel's summer music festival in north Wales may not be held in 2009 because of financial difficulties, the opera star has revealed.

The bass baritone has said he will meet the Heritage Minister to try to get an injection of cash in order to save the Faenol Festival.

The four day event, which takes place near Caernarfon, Gwynedd, made a loss for the first time in 2008.

Mr Terfel said it needed money to ensure it survived for its 10th year.

In previous years the festival, which takes place in August, has attracted acts like Girls Aloud, Shirley Bassey, Boyzone, Andrea Bocelli and Westlife.

But Mr Terfel said the festival, which is also known as Bryn-fest, had experienced a difficult ninth year, which put the 10th event in 2009 in a difficult position.

He told BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme, the festival would not have survived without money from the Welsh Assembly Government.

It's imperative that we get an influx of money to actually survive Bryn Terfel

"So we'll be borrowing, begging, stealing, anything because I think it's something good for north Wales in itself," said Mr Terfel.

"I'll be meeting Alun Ffred Jones, the Heritage Minister, in the next couple of weeks to talk about the festival next year

"It's imperative that we get an influx of money to actually survive."

The singer said the Faenol Festival tried to put north Wales on the international map but that more should be done to make Caernarfon and the surrounding area more attractive for visitors so that they did not just see the castle and then leave.

"Caernarfon sometimes looks a little bit deprived," he said.

"It needs an influx of cash, I think it needs to be revived.

He added: "I'd like to think of my possibilities in a three year capacity and not having to worry about bringing something into this location.

"It's great that the infrastructure is there. And it helps for the economics of the area - hotels are busy, restaurants are full.

"We try our best but we could do more."