MALE voice singers who will be showcasing Minehead in the world’s largest festival of its kind later this year have been refused financial help from the town council.

Minehead Male Voice Choir, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, will be among more than 60 taking part in May in the Cornwall International Male Choral Festival, near Liskeard.

The 40-strong choir asked the town council for a £500 grant to help with the costs of representing Minehead on the world stage.

The festival attracts choirs from across the UK and the rest of the world, and as well as concerts and other public singing activities, it includes symposia, workshops, master classes, and tuition sessions for directors and singers.

Town clerk Ben Parker told the council’s finance and general purposes committee it had powers under the Local Government Act 1972 to award a grant.

Some councillors expressed concern that funding an activity taking place outside of Minehead might not provide sufficient direct benefit to the wider community.

However, they did note that representation of the town in an international festival could be viewed positively.

Deputy Mayor Cllr Anne Lawton declared a personal interest in the application and although she spoke on the issue to provide factual information, she did not vote.

Councillors were split three to three in a vote on the grant, and committee chairman Cllr Bill Hodson used his casting vote to refuse the application.

The committee went on to approve a £500 grant for the annual Minehead and Exmoor Music Festival, which runs from July 25 to August 1.

Mr Parker said financial support for entertainment and the arts was also permitted under the same Act.

The male voice choir can be seen ahead of the festival when it gives a concert on April 18 in St Andrew’s Church, Minehead, to support the town’s defibrillator charity group.