PUBS that will lose tens of thousands of pounds in business due to the drastically downsized Marlborough Jazz Festival are trying to salvage the situation by putting on gigs of their own.

The internationally renowned festival, which attracts around 10,000 people to the town, will be in just two venues this year, down from 20 or so from previous years, as Wiltshire Council refused to grant festival organisers the all-day road closures they asked for.

As a result, pubs across the town have united under one banner and are busy arranging for musical acts to perform at their venues at the same time as the July 14-16 festival to give locals the festival they crave and provide the pubs with some much needed business.

Royal Oak manager Paul Dyke, who is leading the way as chairman of the newly formed Marlborough Music Festival committee, said he was thrilled at how local pubs had got behind the idea with such gusto.

"The response has been amazing. Landlords from the town's pubs came together as we thought it was crucial that the spirit of the festival carried on as it was such a brilliant event," he said.

"So many people, including the pubs, were hugely disappointed that this year's festival would be so much smaller. Not having a festival would be critical to us so we have got our heads together and now we are all hosting musical acts of our own.

"We formed the committee as we were determined to put on an event for the people of Marlborough and now they can look forward to all kinds of music and also some other acts like comedy too.

"I am not sure if any of them are jazz ones but if we can get some of those that would be great as well. The more support we can get the better."

Businesses other than pubs in the town were also bitterly disappointed the festival will take place in just the town hall and St Mary's Church as the organisers said that the roads had to be closed for the public's safety.

"Last year it was fantastic for traders when there were no road closures, we did very, very well. We would love it if a solution can be found but road closures kill business for us," said Bob Holman of The Marlborough High Street Retailers Association.

"If you manage the traffic well and do it all professionally it can work beautifully, as other towns have demonstrated, it is not rocket science. I think this decision by the organisers is pathetic. The plans to have an alternative festival could be epic and hopefully it will be a success."

The other venues include the Roebuck in London Road, The Lamb Inn in the Parade, and High Street pubs the Wellington Arms, The Green Dragon, The Marlborough, The Bear and The Castle and Ball.