FILMING for a feature film which was due to take place next week at Blackburn Arena has been cancelled.

Due to operational circumstances, Northern Souls Films Ltd, has had to change location and will not be filming on Friday April 16.

The company has been shooting a film entitled Northern Souls in and around Blackburn throughout March and April. The film, a love story directed by BAFTA-nominated director Dominic Savage, is due for release in cinemas next year and is co-funded by the British Film Council and BBC films.

The film is set in a town in Northern England and "has echoes of Romeo and Juliet".

A representative of Northern Souls Ltd said: "If you had been contacted and were due to come down to Blackburn Arena, please do not attend as filming will not be taking place. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your enthusiasm."

Des Finlay, manager of Blackburn Arena, said: "Initially we had around 150 members of the public coming down but we contacted local schools so we would have had a large number of people.

"There will undoubtedly be people who will not read this and turn up next Friday 7.30am, So we will have to make provisions for people who turn up at the front door."

The Arena will be open for business as usual from 10am.