A MAJOR music event in the heart of Cookham has been given the go ahead despite some residents' fears it could become a Glastonbury scale event.

However, organisers of Let's Rock the Moor have been warned they will face prosecution if it fails to meet stringent conditions – principally that it finishes by 10pm.

Sound levels will have to be checked by environmental officers throughout the day and security staff must be on site to look out for violence, theft and alcohol or drug abuse.

The event ran for the first time last year. Organisers decided to arrange the outdoor concert after it proved successful.

Alan Barwise, team leader for licensing, said: “A lot of people in Cookham said they actually approved, they said it was fun, it wasn't loud and they were quite happy.

“It tended to be older residents who didn't want their properties intruded by noise.

"But it's not Reading or Glastonbury, it's a local event for local people organised by local people.

“What we have said is you can have the event but we are trying to give it a sense of control.

"If residents fear that it will go on in to the early hours of the morning it becomes more intrusive.

“Our concern is that this should be on the dot at 10pm.”

He added: “We hope the decision will be acceptable to everybody.”

He said residents should not fear it will “turn into Glastonbury” with bigger events in future because each license has to be gained independently.

If organisers wanted to stage it next year they will have to apply again.

Organiser Mike Clark said there had been “misconceptions” about the event but accepted last year's event had gone on too late.

He said “rigorous steps” were being taken to ensure this did not happen again.

“We are pleased first of all because people in the community will enjoy a good day out and we will have a chance to raise money for charity,” Mr Clark said.

“We recognise that there are a few people in the community who feel awkward about it and don't think it's appropriate.”

He said as a resident living nearby the last thing he would want is an event on the scale of Glastonbury, adding the village was far too small for it to be possible anyway.

He added: “We hope the decision will allay some of their fears and hope to work with them to see if they can fell more relaxed about it.”

Rock the Moor will take place on Saturday May 22 on Cookham Moor.

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Anyone wishing to appeal the decision has 21 days to contact the Magistrates Court.