ROCKORE will return to the Meedies next year but the future of the music festival beyond that is looking "uncertain".

The organisers, Benarty Events Group, confirmed that the show will go on at Lochore Meadows on Saturday August 19.

However, they're concerned that the area of the country park where the festival is held will be lost as part of Fife Council's planned improvements.

In a Facebook post they explained: "Benarty Events Group are so glad to be able to hold Rockore again next year, as we know it’s an event that is very much looked forward to by the local community.

"It also attracts people from further afield to attend the event at the Meedies and we are proud to say that Rockore has become an annual fixture on the Scottish and the UK summer music festival calendar.

"We have to inform you though that the future of Rockore is looking uncertain beyond 2023 due to the proposed development plans for a new play park on the event area."

The council are currently consulting on the plans for the Meedies and held workshops at the Willie Clarke Visitor Centre where they paid those who attended £40 in gift vouchers for their views.

An online consultation is also up and running.

There are approved plans for an £800,000 project to replace the existing playpark and initially the council hoped it would open in Spring 2022.

However, work has not started and they've now gone back to ask locals for help on shaping an "ambitious" future for the Meedies.

The Rockore organisers stated: "Please give your ideas, opinions and views to support both a new play park and keeping the event area for full use for organisers like ourselves.

"Benarty Events Group fully supports a new inclusive play park at the Meedies, or if users prefer an updated, more inclusive design / refurbishment of the existing park, bringing it up to current health and safety standards.

"The part we CANNOT support is the placing of the play park on the events field and would ask you to give us your support, by answering NO to question 35, ‘Are you happy with the proposed location of the new play area at Lochore Meadows?’".

Local councillor Alex Campbell, convener of the Cowdenbeath area committee, said he shared the group's concerns: "The larger events must be safeguarded for both the park and the local economy.

"These events bring the local communities together, along with the wider areas of Fife and Scotland.

"The council have to take the views of the consultation, as to where the playpark is to be located in the park, on board."

Sarah Roxburgh, the council's community manager for the Cowdenbeath area said: "The new playpark proposal recognises the need for a large events space as we know how important it is for these events to continue.

“Rockore is delivered by a small number of people who are committed to making it a fantastic annual event.

"Logistically we appreciate the work that goes into it and we wouldn't want to jeopardise it running in future at the expense of delivering these proposals."

She added: "We want to reassure everyone who uses the park, both customers and event organisers, that their concerns will be considered in planning the next steps.

“I'd echo the Benarty Events Group's request for people to have their say."

The online survey runs until December 16 at www.lochoremeadows.org.uk/future.

Benarty Events Group also announced that Rockore will, for the first time, be sponsored by two local companies, Cartmore Building Supplies and Vermicon Pest Control.

They added: "Tickets will be available to purchase soon from local outlets and Skiddle, so keep checking the Rockore page for updates."