TAXPAYERS will be forking out an extra £6,000 for the business that puts on The Thundersprint.

Northwich Town Council gave the grant to The Thundersprint’s managing director Frank Melling to cover running costs of camping in the town centre, with all profits going to The Thundersprint Limited.

Councillors are also giving Mr Melling the use of council-owned Verdin Park for free for camping throughout the weekend, in May next year.

Clr Brian Cooke, former town mayor, voted against giving the grant to The Thundersprint.

He said: “In my mind it’s a business and we are sponsoring a business.

“If that’s the case anyone could say ‘I’ve got a business, sponsor us’.

“I’m all for charities but we can’t sponsor a business with ratepayers money.”

He added: “I’m not against The Thundersprint at all and I think Frank Melling does a good job but not when there are charities in this town that want more money from us.”

Camping, which is expected to bring in more than 200 paying visitors, is being moved from its former Winnington Park location to the more central site of Verdin Park in 2009, and the £6,000 funding is needed for facilities, insurance, security and administration costs.

In a letter submitted to the town council, Mr Melling said: “The income stream will cover the cost of administration of the camping and, hopefully, generate a modest profit for us.

“I wish to be completely clear that we do need to generate a profit from the camping beause The Thundersprint is a commercial activity for us and we must, at the very least, break even in order for it to continue.”

Speaking to the Guardian, Mr Melling said: “We don’t make any money off the camping and it wouldn’t be something we would do except as a service to the community.

“I’m starting to really get trembles in my tummy that I’ve done my sums wrong and £6,000 is not enough.”

He added: “We’re under pressure, nice pressure, from Vale Royal Borough Council, Northwich Town Council and Visit Chester and Cheshire to bring long-stay visitors into town – we get no income stream on the Saturday but it’s a huge amount of extra work and extra cost.

“But traders and the town itself benefit.”

Clr Steve Gough proposed giving the grant and use of Verdin Park at the latest town council meeting.

He said: “All I can say is it gives the council chance to put something back into the community.

“It’s a massive event and I think we should be involved.” Town mayor Clr Bob Robinson added: “The Thundersprint is a month after Vale Royal disappears so it’s a great opportunity to promote the town.”

The council has an annual income of about £545,000 and last year gave grants ranging from £250 to £3,600 to charities and other organisations.

The Thundersprint already receives £40,000 funding from Vale Royal Borough Council. A Vale Royal Borough Council spokesman said: “The return on this investment has been monitored and has resulted in £2.5m additional spend in the borough, which is fantastic for people and businesses of Vale Royal.”