ONE of Hampshire’s premier cultural festivals has been saved.

Grange Park Opera is abandoning Northington Grange in Alresford after weeks of uncertainty, reported by the Daily Echo last month.

But the Baring family which owns the historic estate has stepped in to hold its own Grange Festival, directed by respected counter tenor Michael Chance.

Mark Baring, who owns the estate with Lord Ashburton, said: “We were very determined to make sure that the opera festival continues. We don’t want to see it disappear.

“We think it’s a great thing for Hampshire and the economy.”

It is a boost for local business which enjoys increased trade when the famous opera comes to town.

The Grange Festival’s first season will take place in 2017.