Promoter of Whitby Gothic Weekend Sam Hoyle said it has been a "fantastic weekend" with 6,000 Goths from all over the world taking in the bands, special events, gothic stalls and walking around Whitby in their eye-catching outfits which all helped add to the vibrancy of the town.

"We've had a lot more going on which is what we've been trying to push," said Mr Hoyle.

Problems were again encountered with wristbands – despite tickets not selling out at the Pavilion on Friday night the venue reached capacity.

Mr Hoyle said to reduce capacity in the main event, people on the guest list were given their own private party with a DJ in the Pavilion's exhibition hall downstairs so no-one was left disappointed.

A new ticketing system is now being put in place for the next event in April.

"We've relied too long on people being honest," said Mr Hoyle.

"I want to say a big thank you to our guests who have all been fantastic."

And a meeting is planned in the next couple of weeks with licensing officers, police and the fire service, licensees, highways and the borough council to work towards a solution for the problems in Flowergate where in the past people have gathered outside the pubs to drink in the streets.

Last weekend doorstaff were on hand at the Resolution Hotel, the Elsinore and Little Angel who restricted the number of people allowed into premises to prevent them exceeding their capacity.

Mr Hoyle said they had tried to seek a road closure for the latest event but he said the council had dragged its feet.

"Next April will see big changes and there willl be no repeat of the situation in Flowergate.

"Although it doesn't actually affect us the Elsinore and the Little Angel are the original home of Whitby Gothic Weekend and we feel we owe them for helping us get to where we are today.

"If it wasn't for them it would have fallen away a long time ago.

"We are doing our best to work towards a solution for April."

l Will Whitby Gothic Weekend follow Musicport's World Music Festival switch to Bridlington?

Full story on page 20.