ARSONISTS have burned a bandstand to the ground just days before it was set to be used as the main stage in a community festival.

The bandstand in Oak Hill Park, Accrington, was to be the centrepiece of the Hyndburn Mela and Community Festival, due to start on Sunday, August 8.

Local bands, as well as internationally renowned artists, are due to arrive in the town for the event, expected to attract crowds from across the borough.

But it is thought the blaze, which was reported at about 2.30am on Friday, was started deliberately.

Now the organisers of the event have slammed the culprits, but promised the show will go on.

Nick Hunt, director of Mid Pennine Arts, said: "It's a great shame because it was a lovely old band stand and we have a long history of promoting events that use it. I have spent many a happy summer Sunday trudging on and off that stage making announcements and I will miss it.

"As far as we are concerned we are going ahead with contingency plans to set up a portable stage and the Mela will go ahead regardless.

"We will be consulting with our partners, primarily the council and the members of the festival committee as soon as possible at the start of next week."