Organisers of the Urdd Eisteddfod have been left without a suitable outdoor venue for 2002, meaning the event will have to be held at a north Wales theatre.

Eisteddfod director Deian Creunant said no invitations had been forthcoming from any councils in north Wales for the event.

The festival will be held instead at the North Wales Theatre in Llandudno but the decision has already raised questions about what outdoor events can take place.

Mr Creunant said it was understandable that cash-strapped councils were not in a position to help out the Urdd for 2002.

"It is a shame but we have to look at the situation realistically," he told BBC Wales.

"With funding being very, very tight for local authorities, it is difficult for them to support us.

'£1.2m costs'

"It costs us £1.2m to run the Urdd and £500,000 on the site itself," he explained.

"There are invitations in place for 2003 and 2004 and options for 2006 and 2007.

"Really, we have had just one year when there is no particular invitation in place."

Penrhyn Bay plays host to the event this year and and a location has been found for 2001.

The event will be held in 2005 at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay.