Benefactor helps save Horsham festival

The Horsham festival has had a reprieve for the 2014 season after an anonymous benefactor donated a significant sum to Sussex to allow them to continue with the out-ground fixture.

It appeared to have paid the price for the club's financial difficulties, but the festival week will take place from July 21-27 and will include a Championship match against Warwickshire and a 50-over fixture against Nottinghamshire.

However, the fact the venue has been saved for this year is not a long-term solution and Sussex are aware they need to make it financially viable.

Zac Toumazi, the Sussex chief executive, said: "Personally I am delighted that the festival will be proceeding this year. We have had some sponsors come forward but without the substantial donation from an anonymous benefactor, it would not be going ahead.

"It is now up to all of us to make the festival the most successful ever and work hard to attract sponsorship for 2015 and beyond. We must avoid this situation reoccurring."