Fleetwood’s popular transport festival has been saved following an emergency meeting this week.

The event, which regularly attracts crowds of around 50,000 and is seen as a focal point of Fleetwood’s summer, was set to be axed due to a lack of volunteers for next year’s event.

But a meeting held at the North Euston Hotel in Fleetwood on Tuesday attracted enough support and volunteers for the event, commonly known as Tram Sunday, to be resurrected.

Keith Yates, chairman of the transport festival, said: “I am as much relieved as I am elated, this festival is a massive event across the Fylde coast so it is important it continues.

"It brings in large crowds every year who stay for the weekend so it is of great economic benefit to the whole of the Fylde coast.”

Mr Yates said he now had a team of around 40 volunteers, who will meet on January 12 to start preparations for this year’s festival, the 25th anniversary.

“As long as everyone stays committed to the event then we have enough volunteers to keep it going for years to come,” he said.

“We have a mix of skills and everybody has committed their time because they are enthusiastic and passionate about the event.

“I would like to start attracting more youngsters to the festival as fans and as volunteers, so hopefully that can start happening next year.

"But for now we are all so relieved that the event is to carry on in to its 25th year.”

The 2008 event cost around £11,000 with £1,600 donated by Wyre Borough Council, who have pledged to support and help promote the event. It is estimated that the weekend is worth around £500,000 to the Wyre economy.

Leader of Wyre Borough Council, Coun Russell Forsyth, said: “The transport festival has long since been a fabulous weekend for both residents and visitors so it is fantastic that the tradition is to continue.

“We will do all we can to ensure the event is a success and it is a major date in the Fleetwood calendar and means a lot to the local community.”