A cash crisis is threatening to kill off a music and drama festival which has provided a showcase for young Sussex performers.

The Springboard Festival has been running since 1924 and attracts about 2,000 musicians, actors and dancers each year.

But without more funding, organisers fear this year's event, which started last weekend, will be the last.

Festival administrator Connie Synchyshyn said: "We have had to use £2,000 from our financial reserves. It will not be possible to do that again in 2006.

"It can't just finish, it would be such a shame. So many people are participating it must be something that is needed."

The festival is expensive to run and lost its city council grant four years ago.

Organisers have to hire the Brighton Dome and other venues and pay judges to sit in on the competitions.

Ms Synchyshyn said it was not possible to increase entry fees as many parents already struggled with the cost of instruments and lessons.

She said: "Unlike neighbouring festivals, Springboard receives no financial or other help from the authorities."

Festival president Gavin Henderson was awarded a CBE for services to music and the arts. He said taking part in music competitions helped him to develop as a youngster.

He said: "I was a pathetic sports person in a school that was very sports oriented - Brighton College.

"I participated in music instead. I played at competitions and it spurred me on to take it more seriously."

He said it was unfair Government funding was given to competitive sports but not competitive music events.

But he said the festival needed to adapt to survive, possibly by including categories for pop music or gospel.

A spokesman from Brighton and Hove City Council said: "While the music competition is an excellent event we would consider whether there were other people who could benefit more from funding."

To bridge the funding gap the festival hopes to gain corporate sponsorship. For information about sponsoring the event call 01273 326831.