A religious procession is set to go ahead after organisers reluctantly accepted having to halve its £50,000 budget.

Church officials had feared they would be forced to cancel Christ in the Centre, which attracts more than 10,000 people to Leicester each year, after a lack of donations so far.

Now organisers have decided to accept a £25,000 budget for the event, which has taken place in the city every Good Friday since 2003.

Organisers said a lack of funding from the public, businesses and even fellow churches meant they had no choice but to scale down the celebrations.

Most of the money is spent on sound and video equipment, and the rest goes on health and safety and security.

There had been suggestions that a revised event should go ahead under a new name, but Canon Barry Naylor, chairman of the organising committee, disagreed.

He said: "I would think there was a very good chance of the event keeping the title of Christ in the Centre.

"We've made a decision to go away and work with a budget of £25,000 and see what we can put on. In the past we had planned the drama then went about raising the funds.

"This year, due to the state of the economy, we know it will be hard to raise enough money to put on an event to the scale of previous years.

"We need to operate within economic reality which could mean a simpler-style production based on a single stage and preceded by a shorter procession than before.

"It's absolutely crucial that on Good Friday we have something in the city centre and it's vital Christians are seen to be celebrating on such a solemn and important day."

Any money raised above the revised budget will go towards making sure future productions can be just as big as previous ones. Last year, Christ in the Centre overspent by £5,000.

Canon Naylor said: "We can't let something like that happen again.

"We've accepted this year will not be an easy one so anything over £25,000 will be kept for next year so that we can make sure we have another one in 2010.

"Some churches have given small amounts to us as they have chosen different charities this year and need to be careful with their finances."

Jonathan Cryer, honorary treasurer for Christ in the Centre, said: "Things are looking very promising and we're confident we can meet the revised figure and keep the name. We would still welcome further donations to ensure Christ in the Centre has enough funds so that we can plan ahead for future years."

Discussions are under way to finalise details of the event, which will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Donations can be made to Christ in the Centre, 4 Honeybourne Close, Oadby, LE2 5PJ.