WE are soon to enjoy both "Arts in the Park" and the Mela in Blackburn.

Last year, for the unfortunate people who live close to the park, the Mela in particular was a combination of disaster and fiasco!

On the Sunday evening the behaviour of visiting motorists was disgraceful.

The inadequate police presence vanished at the vital moment when they were called away.

Attendance was estimated to be larger than Blackburn Rovers achieve and their supporters cause less bother yet the club is obliged to pay for a heavy police presence.

The government assures us that there are more police than ever but the only way to see them is to go to a football match!

I will be watching with great interest this year in the hope that the motorists suddenly discover manners and courtesy and the police decide to deploy some of the large numbers currently not needed for football.

Councillor BRIAN GORDON, Meadowhead, Blackburn.