ORGANISERS of a huge summer fair have promised it will go ahead rain or shine – a year after it was axed because of wet weather.

The Showmen’s Guild said this year’s Burnley ‘Wakes’ Funfair would be held in Fulledge Recreation Ground from this Wednesday until next Monday.

Last year’s event should have been in Towneley Park but it was cancelled after heavy rain which also wiped out many of East Lancashire’s agricultural shows.

However, organisers have this year promised that the largest summer fair in the county, featuring more than 35 rides and attractions, will appear.

Billy Hill, from the Showmen’s Guild, said: “Obviously, we are hoping for good weather, but even if we do get a spot of rain, the Fulledge site is much more capable of withstanding it.

“New drainage has been incorporated and soon the public walkways will be made hard-standing.

“We are very grateful to Burnley Council for its co-oper-ation with these improvements which should secure the future of fairs on this site for years to come.”

Organisers have also secured the 130ft Speed Buzz, a white-knuckle ride described as “awesome”.

Mr Hill added: “We’ve also got a great selection of attractions for the less adventurous fairgoer.

“Also new this year, for example, is the Dragon Wagon, one of the smallest and friendliest roller-coasters around.”

Burnley is said to have had an annual fair somewhere in the town every year since 1294.

However, that was affected last year when the event, which was planned for Towneley Park because of maintenance work at Fulledge, was cancelled.