THE recession may have forced cuts in expenditure to almost every area of the household budget, but one luxury, it seems, is above sacrifice.

A new survey among festival-goers has revealed that while 60 per cent have cut back on entertainment spending since the start of the recession, only one in four are considering reducing their investment in a weekend of al fresco partying.

Thousands of people descended on Lulworth Castle last year for the second Camp Bestival, and similar numbers are expected this year to enjoy a bill headed by ’80s chart-toppers Madness and space-funk pioneers Funkadelic.

But there is nothing whimsical about the implications of the festival for Purbeck’s economy. Researchers found that ticket holders for Camp Bestival’s family-friendly weekend spent more than punters at any other festival surveyed.

An average spend of £346 including the ticket price for other events staged by members of the Association of Independent Festivals is dwarfed by the £532 invested by those who visited Camp Bestival.

AIF’s survey, taken among some 4,783 festival-goers, also contained good news for the organisers of the Endorse it in Dorset festival, held at Sixpenny Handley.

Researchers recorded the third highest “word of mouth” information spread among any of the 13 festivals included in their report, with just under 70 per cent of those visiting the North Dorset event doing so on the recommendation of others.

The festival’s volunteer marketing manager, Iain Laing, said time spent building relationships with journalists had brought dividends.

And he said that the festival’s survey-topping performance in a category for shared transport – 24 per cent arriving by camper van compared to just six per cent at other festivals – was no surprise.

“We have policies to encourage shared transport.

“This year there’s an additional £5 charge for private cars, which will be invested in green initiatives like recycling and our compostable toilets,” said Iain.