A POPULAR Wellington music festival is set to have a year off in order to be more prepared for the next event.

Welliestock, which held its first event in 2014, faced drama earlier this year after its planned location was vetoed by police.

In a last-ditch effort, a new location was found and it delivered what organiser Huw Weston said was 'very special'.

Mr Weston has held the events in a variety of locations, but this year saw the festival expand with a bigger set up after a turbulent beginning.

He said: "When we had our first Welliestock in 2014, we could not have imagined how supportive our community would be towards our music festival.

"Every year the event grew with 2018 producing a day that will be remembered for a very long time.

"With a different venue and bigger set up, it still felt like a very special place where once again we celebrated the joy of living in Wellington, delighted that so many fantastic artists wanted to perform at Welliestock."

The event was set to go ahead at Court Fields School, but authorities would not sign off on the location.

Mr Weston tirelessly worked to find a new location, the Beech Grove Pitch at Wellington Rugby Club, where it was held on June 30.

But the approval was only given by Taunton Deane Borough Council just days before on June 25.

In order to have more time to organise the next event, Mr Weston says they will skip 2019 - a move good enough for Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis.

Mr Weston added: "This year wasn’t easy as you know but there’s no need to dwell on what, why and who.

"Looking back with huge huge pride on the last five years, we’ve decided to take 2019 off. If it’s good enough for Mr Eavis.

"This will allow us to spend more time planning our next Welliestock, working with authorities earlier and hopefully attracting potential sponsors to support our event.

"This wasn’t an easy decision to make but my family would like to enjoy a more relaxed year next year.

"Massive thanks to our wonderful team for making Welliestock what it has become and thank you for a spectacular Welliestock this year. I’ll miss it."