WAR heroes are celebrating after council chiefs said they could use York's Barbican Centre for this year's Festival Of Remembrance after all.

Oganiser Ted Griffiths reckons the Royal British Legion's efforts to stay at the venue might not have been successful but for the Evening Press.

We highlighted the Legion's plight after City of York Council advised it to find a new venue because it was not certain whether the Barbican would be needed instead for the UK Snooker Championships.

The move - which came days before the 60th anniversary of D-Day - left veterans bitterly disappointed, and triggered angry letters to the paper from readers who accused the council of putting snooker before war heroes.

But now the council has given ex-servicemen the green light to stay.

Leisure boss Charlie Croft said the snooker tournament now looked likely to start in the week of November 15. That date allowed both events to take place, with a casual workforce likely to steward the festival.

"We certainly believe that the snooker is coming to York," said Mr Croft.

"We have kept in regular contact with the organisers and are still awaiting final details."

"We're glad this has been resolved," he said. "It was never a competition between the festival and the snooker."

Mr Griffiths said today he was "over the moon".

He said: "I am absolutely delighted. We might not have been successful without all the publicity in the Evening Press.

"I'm grateful for all your help and want to thank all the readers who have written supporting us."

Mr Griffiths said that without the change of heart, the event would probably have been held at the University of York's Central Hall, where a smaller stage would have restricted the programme.

"A lot of people were very disappointed that the festival might not take place at the Barbican," he said.

"My phone has not stopped ringing. I've been quite touched by the reaction - and now I hope to see them all on the night."

Meanwhile, Mr Griffiths called on crowds to flock to the 14th festival, scheduled for Sunday, November 7, at 7.30pm.

Tickets will be available from the Barbican from July 1. Early booking forms will be sent to Legion and Poppy Appeal branches.

The poignant night of music and song remembering fallen heroes has been held at the Barbican since it was built in 1991. It is normally a 1,400 capacity sell-out and attracts people from all over Yorkshire.

Updated: 10:03 Thursday, June 17, 2004