Glastonbury organisers launch new bid for licence

Glastonbury Festival could be back on if a fresh application to the local council is accepted.

Earlier this month the regulatory board of Mendip District Council refused a public entertainment licence for next year's music event.

A spokesman for the council has confirmed a new application had been received from the festival organisers.

He said the application would now be sent out for consultation to organisations such as the police, before a meeting probably in early February.

The council rejected a proposal earlier this month after a five-hour meeting.

It concluded with a 5-4 vote against the licence for the June 2003 festival.

Although the application was not opposed by police, concerns were raised over problems this year in villages near the site of the music event in Pilton, Somerset.

The council was worried about security for Pilton and surrounding villages, environmental damage and the unsuitability of the site for such a large event.