Solfest will not lose its licence, despite a bid by the police.

Allerdale council's licensing panel voted to issue a written warning to the organisers of Solfest after police raised concerns about licence breaches.

Despite calls by the police for the event's licence to be revoked or suspended, councillors decided such action would be disproportionate to the outstanding issues of concern.

The three-day event, at Tarns, near Aspatria, takes place this weekend.

Cumbria police claimed the festival committee had breached the licence by not providing an event management plan with sufficient detail by the required deadline.

Chief Inspector Matt Kennerley said officers had seen "a number" of incidents of concern at last year's event but had worked with the committee to resolve them rather than calling for a licence review earlier.

He added: "The main concern is the number of people who walk along the road between the traders' entrance and the main entrance, especially at night because it's such a busy road and it's so dark."

The security of perimeter fencing, contingency plans for major incidents, the experience of the licence holder and the organisers' decision not to pay for dedicated policing at the event were also of concern to the police.

Ch Insp Kennerley told the panel it was the constabulary's opinion that councillors had only two options - to suspend or revoke the licence.

Asked for clarification, he confirmed that less stringent options were also available if members chose to take action.

Tom Kay, festival director, said access arrangements had been changed to prevent people needing to walk on the road, and more security fencing had been brought in.

Licence holder Michiel Van Gulik told the hearing he had undertaken premises supervisor training, was qualified in hotel management and had more than a decade of experience in the food and drink industry.

Mr Kay said: "There are far fewer incidents of antisocial behaviour at the festival than you'd find in Carlisle city centre on a Saturday night.

"The police have always been more than welcome to come on site.

"It's never been our decision what the police have provided.

"As soon as mention of payment for services came up and we expressed that we weren't willing to do that the police have pretty much given us the cold shoulder."

The festival could not afford to pay for policing on top of its security costs, he said.

Organisers are hoping to sell about 5,000 tickets this year but Mr Kay said sales had nose dived since the review was called.

In 2010, when James headlined, they welcomed 10,000 people.

Following the hearing, the panel decided not to take any action to change the licence.

Instead they will issue a written warning recommending improved communication with the police.

Chairman Coun Angela Kendall said: "The licensing panel were satisfied that each of the issues raised were satisfactorily addressed."

Mr Kay said: "Events like Solfest represent an opportunity for people to come together and enjoy good music, arts and entertainment and it would have been a real shame to have to take this away from them.

"For many, Solfest has put the Solway Firth on the map and this is invaluable to our local economy.

"This year has been a real fight against bureaucracy, we've never experienced anything like this before and I hope that events like ours won't be crushed by paperwork.

"We organise Solfest because we care and want to put on a great event for people to have a good time."