CROSSGATES Gala has been saved after the village Events Committee recruited a new chairman and a number of fresh volunteers.

The future of the event was in serious doubt after the committee called a crisis meeting for Sunday that proposed its dissolution.

They decided that they could not continue following a poor turnout at its AGM and, in public notices place around the village, said it was with a "heavy heart" that "unless willing bodies, in particular a chairperson, step forward our gala will fold at this meeting".

But villagers have rallied to ensure that the show will go on next year after it was confirmed that Ross Bennet had agreed to take on the role of chair after Sunday's gathering at the Crystal Bar.

The date for next year's gala has been confirmed as Saturday July 7.