I AM a music teacher at Andover College and we worked with the Youth Council on this year’s A-Fest so I was dismayed to read Cllr Lynn’s recent attack on the event.

The college coordinated the audition and selection of artists, provided the stage, sound and lighting systems and all of the technical support for the day. Around 60% of all performers were from the college.

Cllr Lynn seems to have overlooked any of the positives of this event. The standard of music was high and the audience was very enthusiastic.

Local traders were kept busy. The attendance figure that Cllr Lynn has suggested is woefully inaccurate.

A photograph taken from the stage shows an audience stretching right down the High Street, with people outside Wetherspoons standing on chairs to watch the event.

Throughout the day there were over 1,000 people attending.

Of course, there were aspects of the event that need to be improved for next year but our learning curve has been immense. Is Cllr Lynn opposed to giving the young people of Andover any voice?

Currently, the creative industries are worth over £78bn. British musicians are dominating the world and none of them would have made it if it hadn’t been for opportunities like A-fest.

Those of us that work with young people know that this success only comes from offering them the opportunity to step up to the mark, behave like professionals and achieve.

One day, we will be sitting in front of the TV and an artist/ band from the Andover area will be performing in front of millions.

We will be able to say that we saw them first on the stage at A-Fest. I urge you Cllr Lynn, support this festival.

Let these young people do you proud.

Cormac Dorrian, Andover College