A POPULAR festival has been cancelled just days after organisers pledged it was to go ahead in a scaled-down version.

Organisers of Great Harwood Winter Warmer say they have been forced to cancel this year’s plans after being unable to raise the £10,000 needed to stage the event.

The Winter Warmer is held to coincide with the town's Christmas lights switch and includes a torch-lit parade, carol singing, fancy dress and market stalls.

Organiser Janet Doyle: ” Unfortunately, we cannot afford a full road closure with stalls along the streets as we have been unable to raise sufficient funds.

“We considered the alternative of holding a ‘Festival Market’ on Holgate Street car park but we have now looked at the two options of a formal or an informal car park closure and find that this is no longer a viable option either.”

Barbara Sharples, who co-ordinates the fundraising, said, “Sadly less than a dozen shops had agreed to stay open on the night compared with more than 30 in 2006.

Great Harwood Area Council will still be holding the Christmas light switch-on on November 28.

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