Whitehaven Festival founder and CEO, Gerard Richardson, has denied reports that Cumbria Constabulary have quashed the festival company’s plans for 2016.

Reports surfaced earlier this week that Cumbria Constabulary had raised a number of objections to the festival, which meant the event could no longer take place.

It was also suggested that the company was also having difficulty in securing funding from Sellafield Ltd - one of festival’s regular sponsors.

In a statement on the Whitehaven Festival’s Facebook page Mr Richardson said: “There are all sorts of rumours going around about the future of the festival company but as usual it’s just gossip.

“Yes, it's the time of the year when we discuss plans for next year, which means it's also the time of the year we talk to sponsors, the police and council but that doesn't mean we have any conflict.”

The local entrepreneur went on to reveal that although recent reports on the festival were incorrect, there was some truth in reports that he had plans to step down as festival CEO.

“The only real story here is that I've told the board of the Festival Co that I want to retire and we are meeting today to discuss what that means in more detail,” he said.

Mr Richardson completed his statement with a word on his relationship with Sellafield Ltd and balked at the idea that there were any issues between the nuclear power giant and the festival committee.

“Sellafield are not just our oldest sponsors but they are and always will be good friends of mine and have never flinched in support of what I do.”

The popular Whitehaven Festival was cancelled in 2014 due to health and safety issues and rising costs and was replaced earlier this year with a number of events including the Western Lakes Film Festival.

Over the last month Mr Richardson has hinted at “exciting” plans for the Whitehaven Festival in 2016 and had promised fans of the festival’s Facebook page some news in the coming weeks.