VISITORS to a hospice cathedral service have been banned from holding candles lit in memory of loved ones due to health and safety fears.

Around 1,200 people are expected to attend the East Lancashire Hospice's annual Light up a Life' event at Blackburn Cathedral tonight.

For the past seven years the event has been run with visitors lighting a candle in memory of a loved one and then holding it during the service.

But this year, following the introduction of new health and safety laws in October, visitors will not be allowed to hold a candle.

The new law means that had an injury occurred from a candle, then as event organiser the hospice would have been liable.

Firefighters recommended that visitors could hold the candles if there was 300 people in the congregation, but that 1,200 was too many.

Colin Rigby, leader of the Conservative group on Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, has criticised the "red tape" for "getting in the way" of the event.

But Harry Grayson, the Park Lee Road hospice's appeals manager, said that as a charity, it was a risk they could not take.

He said: "After meetings with the fire brigade we were told that the risk was too high.

"As organisers we felt that we had to change.

"There are a lot of disappointed people and it is not going to be the same this year.

"It is a very moving moment when the candles are lit and we don't want to lose the aura that is created."

Mr Grayson said that instead this year he wants visitors to the ceremony, which begins at 7.30pm, to arrive early and light a tea-light that will be placed at the front of the cathedral.

Canon Philip Gray, who will be leading the service, said: "Clearly we have had to listen to advise from the fire service.

"I share the disappointment of the organisers but we have to put safety first.

"We were faced with a straight choice, whether to limit numbers of visitors or do the service in a different way.

"At least now people will still be able to light a candle to personally remember a loved one and everyone who wants to come can come."

Tony Clements, Blackburn's fire safety inspecting officer, said the decision to make the changes was made by organisers.

He said: "We explain the risks and it is up to the hospice what they do. We do not tell them what to do, we only offer advise."

Local Conservative group leader Coun Colin Rigby said: "It is very disappointing that red tape has got in the way. There is a risk but it is an acceptable risk.

"The event has run without incident for the previous six years."

The annual Light up a Life campaign raised £28,000 for the hospice last year. And organisers are hoping to surpass that record total this year.

Mr Grayson said: "It's a pretty simple idea. For a small donation people can dedicate a light to a loved one.

"It doesn't have to be from the past, it can be the present as well. It can be a thank you for the kindness given through the year."