The format of Castletown festival is up for debate as police urge organisers to scrap music in the evening.

Last year, under threat of prosecution, organisers pulled the plug on the evening music at the last minute, having reached an impasse over negotiations with police.

The argument revolves around whether the festival requires a music licence.

Festival organisers argue it is exempt and referred to a decision made in 2014 when police also claimed a licence was needed.

The festival said it operates under a charter as a philanthropic voluntary organisation, it has been such a body since it was set up on the initiative of the town’s commissioners in 1956, and organisers say due to its philanthropic status it has been exempt under section 20 of the Music and Dancing Act 1961 and has therefore not required a music and dancing licence for its events.

The Attorney General’s office agreed.

The festival argued nothing has changed since 2014.

But the police argued: ’Having reviewed the carnival over the past few years it is evident that there are no families that attend the evening part of the event ...’

The link between its philanthropic status and it being ’family orientated’ is unclear.

Festival organisers said it is family orientated, families stay up until the end of the event, and they have photographs from 2016’s festival to prove it.

In the build up to this year’s festival, to be held on August 4, police inspector Mark Newey wrote to the festival saying he is concerned it runs until the same time as last year.

He wrote: ’There is litle to reassure me that the event will continue in the vein of last year’s carnival.’

There was no disorder last year ’it was a nice community and family event’ he wrote.

He suggested running the same event with the same timings at this year’s event ’so that it sends a clear message to the wider island community that the carnival of old is no longer and the event moving forward will continue to be a well run family event.

’I personally think that options to dissuade others from attending will have a limited effect and the change of the format last year worked well in this regard, so why not stick with it?’

He suggested the finishing time is extended by half an hour next year to see if it has an impact and extending it again if necessary.

Last year there was wide public outcry about the decision. Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band, unable to play in the evening, still led the fancy dress parade to the square, but it did so in silence. A video of the band’s protest march attracted over 18,000 views.

There was still some confetti throwing and a firework display, but with no music crowds dispersed early.

Inspector Newey’s letter will be discussed by the festival committee at their meeting on June 19.

Festival committee chairman Colin Leather said: ’It’s in the hands of the advocates regarding a music licence. We will be making an announcement in due course. The bottom line is the festival is on to 10.30pm.’