THE delighted organiser of York's Festival of Remembrance was celebrating today after hearing three pieces of good news.

Ted Griffiths said audited accounts had shown that last November's event at the Barbican Centre raised a "magnificent" £8,000 for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal.

He said the centre's operators had also assured him that it would be available again for this year's festival, which takes place on November 4.

Meanwhile, the army had also told him that his application for a military band for the 2007 festival had been successful.

"We have been allocated the Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Military Band," he said. "This is excellent news, and will enable our producer Brian Coates to start planning this year's programme."

Mr Griffiths said that since the festival started to be held at the Barbican in 1991, it had raised a "fantastic sum" of £95,000 for the Poppy Appeal. This year's event could take the final total to more than £100,000.

"I would like, on behalf of the organising committee, to express our thanks to those members of the public who travel far and wide to support our festival, and especially the Nestlé Trust for its continued support," he said.

"I would also like to thank those businesses who make contributions to help keep our costs so low, and our sincere thanks go to all artistes who give their services free."

News that the Barbican will be available again comes as a big relief to Mr Griffiths, who in recent years has been hit by continuing uncertainty over the future of the complex during its sale by City of York Council to Absolute Leisure.

A couple of years ago, he feared he might have to find an alternative venue before eventually learning that the Barbican could again be used.

The centre is currently shut, prior to a major refurbishment of the auditorium and construction of new bars and restaurants. Absolute Leisure, which has submitted an application to the council for changes to the original planning permission, said in December it expected the work to start later this month or early next month, and it plans to re-open the centre for events by the end of the summer.