THE Mayor of Preston has hit out at the board of the city's Mela after it scrapped this year's festival over claims the council should do more to help get it off the ground.

Councillor Bhikhu Patel said it was not good enough to blame the council's lack of an events officer for the cancellation of what was due to be the ninth Mela.

Now he is lobbying for a scaled down version of the event to be held this year.

Coun Patel said: "I'm devastated. I helped to start the Mela, it is very close to my heart.

"It was a fantastic event for the city, allowing us to celebrate so much diversity.

"Just to say it had to be cancelled because we have no events officer, I am not satisfied with that. The community should not be relying on the council."

And he compared it to other community-organised events, like Whittingham and Goosnargh carnival three weeks ago.

"With proper planning other groups put on great shows. I don't see why the Mela can't do something like that," he said.

The Mela, due to be held on August 7, was cancelled this week after the board, made up of volunteers, said they did not have time to finish organising it, despite having worked on it for the past nine months.

Preston Mela has been held annually since 1997, usually at Avenham Park, where it showcases South Asian culture, music, dance, food and fun activities.

It has become an integral part of the city's calendar and last year attracted more than 10,000 visitors.

Coun Patel said he would be holding talks with the Mela board and council officials, and was optimistic a smaller event could be staged.

The collapse of the Mela comes after the city's annual Caribbean Carnival was cancelled in April, but following emergency talks, a smaller version of that was organised for Sunday July 31.

"First it was the Caribbean Carnival and now this, it's a poor sign that people are saying the council should organise it," added Coun Patel.

The chairman of the Mela Board, Gulab Singh, said the decision was disappointing, but called for more partnership support.

He added: "Preston would greatly benefit by appointing an events co-ordinator who could work with various groups to organise the many community cohesion events in our multi-faith and multi-racial community."

The council's executive member for regeneration, community and leisure, Coun Veronica Afrin, agreed the cancellation was a big blow to the city.

She added: "Community events like the Mela are great for the city, especially as we're trying to promote Preston, its community and the vision for the city."

"There is though, a clear message that the community doesn't have the capacity to organise such events on its own, albeit with our support, so an events co-ordinator is something we'll have to look at."