THE organiser behind Blackburn’s first Canal Festival has hailed the event an unprecedented success after more than 3,000 people attended.

Bill Charnley came up with the idea to highlight the town’s rich industrial history and to encourage people to take part in the waterway’s conservation.

The festival, which took place at Eanam Wharf over two days, brought together arts, performers and family-filled events that focused on the canal’s importance in helping the textile industry to blossom.

It is one of two canal festivals that will take place in East Lancashire over the summer and Mr Charnley said that he hopes next year’s will be ‘even bigger’.

He said: “I think that we helped educate people about the area’s history and hopefully have encouraged people to have more interest in their local canal and volunteer to help maintain it for future generations. I would like to thank everyone who came to the festival as well as all those who helped out during the day such as the volunteers, the police and especially to Kelvin Gudger.

“We were also very grateful for donations from Twin Valley Homes and Blackburn with Darwen Council.”

Anyone interested in volunteering to help maintain the Blackburn canal should contact Mr Charnley on 07939 408221.