Organisers of the annual tent-pegging and horse show said the popular event will return to Blackburn this August.

The mela (festival) has been taking place at Pleasington Playing Fields since 2022 and attracts people from across the country.

This year, the event will take place on Sunday, August 18, organisers have revealed.

Last year thousands of spectators turned out to watch local teams each decorated in their own regalia and club colours.

Around 120 horses were on show with the adjoining car park full of trailers and vehicles, each displaying club badges.

Tent pegging is a traditional equestrian sport where mounted horsemen gallop, pick up and carry away a small ground target.

In a change to the festivities this year the Kabaddi event which normally takes place in the evening of the same day will be held on a separate day.

The event is held at Pleasington Playing Fields

A spokesperson for the organisers said: “We have found that hosting both events attracts a lot of people.

“So, we thought it best to split the events and have the Kabaddi on a different day.

“The event is organised by a team of volunteers and enthusiasts and it has proved to be really popular with people across the county and borough.”

The tent-pegging event will begin early in the morning on August 18, whilst the Kabaddi is likely to take place a week later at the same venue.

Kabaddi tends to be an early evening event with festivities beginning after 4pm.

Kabaddi is made up of two teams, with players having to tag an opposition player and make it back to base without being tackled to the ground.