COUNCILLORS have called for Blackburn's two big festivals to be merged -- claiming staging them apart divides the community along ethnic lines.

Blackburn with Darwen Council Conservative group believes the Asian Mela and Arts in the Park, both of which attract tens of thousands to the borough, should be held on the same weekend.

But Labour councillors rejected the claim, insisting both events attract a wide mix of people.

Arts in the Park is traditionally held a week before the Mela, and runs across two days. The first day is for more modern music, while the second day focuses on classical music.

The Mela, which celebrates Asian culture, is held soon after. Both are in Witton Park after moving from Corporation Park for more space.

The budget for the two for 2005 has been cut by £35,000 by Blackburn with Darwen Labour group, but Tory finance spokesman Michael Lee said: "We would prefer the two events were merged.

"Not only would this make them cost effective, but it would bring different communities together.

"Arts in the Park attracts a mainly white crowd, while the Mela is predominantly Asian. There is no need for it to be like that and it divides the community along ethnic lines.

We shouldn't be encouraging communities to live parallel lives and this is what is happening here."

Lord Clarke's report into the Burnley riots in 2001 led to him demanding more community interaction.

Coun John Milburn, in charge of finance at the council, said: "This is something we did consider, but we have decided against bringing them together.

"Both attract a wide mix of people, and they aren't exclusive to one part of the community."