ENFIELD Council is pressing ahead with a cultural festival through the summer to boost tourism and promote community cohesion.

Councillors have set aside £200,000 to support events like Enfield Autumn Show, the popular New River Festival, and Edmonton Carnival under the banner of “The Enfield Festival”.

The branding will help promote a host of events happening in the borough throughout the summer, as well as drawing people to Enfield and improving community cohesion, the council says.

Councillor Doug Taylor, leader of the council, promised a “packed, lively, and varied programme” during the next five months, at museums, community centres, leisure centres, and theatres across Enfield.

The Enfield Festival is a flagship Labour policy which was approved last month by the cabinet.

Senior councillors hope this year's festival will be a success, and act as a springboard for Enfield during next summer's Olympic Games.

But Conservative opposition councillors raised concerns that the money being spent on the festival could be used more wisely during a time of cut backs.

Councillor Henry Lamprecht, deputy leader of the Tory group, said: “We are not against having a festival but we have serious concerns about the accountability of it.

“We went through the plans line by line, and are worried about value for money on some of the events.”

The Conservatives called-in the decision to approve the funds last week, but a panel of councillors ratified Labour's decision.

Cllr Taylor added: “It is important to recognise the good that can be achieved through staging a festival like this.

“Enfield has a rich diversity in its communities and we want to celebrate them in a way that brings people together, encourages young people and strengthens our neighbourhoods.”

A host of events are already planned to be included in the festival, including a night hike for the Nightingale Hospice, a celebration of parks week in July, and the Shakespeare Festival at Millfield Theatre.

The council also hopes the festival will prompt summer street parties and fringe entertainment.

For a full programme list, you can visit www.enfield.gov.uk/artsandculture or call 0208 379 8353.