A question mark has been thrown over the future of a town's festival following the departure of its guiding light.

Tim French, who chaired the committee running Haywards Heath's Midsummer Magic festival for the past eight years, is to step down.

His announcement has thrown a dampener on this year's events, which climax with a firework display over Victoria Park on Sunday evening.

He said: "We've had a good run but the committee has agreed it's time to call it a day."

Mr French said sponsors for the £70,000 festival had become harder to find with each year.

He said Mid Sussex councillors agreed by only one vote to support this year's festival, contributing a grant of £12,000.

He said: "I'd love to see another team come in with new ideas to take over and I am still considering putting on a concert next year but it will be nothing like this in scale."

The weekend's events kick off with a procession through the streets starting from Oaklands Road on Saturday at 10.45am.

That will be followed by the popular Proms in the Park featuring the Sussex Symphony Orchestra at 7.45pm.

There will be bargains at a car boot sale in Victoria Park from 10am on Sunday followed by an afternoon of free entertainment.