BLACKBURN Rovers boss Graeme Souness has hit out at police for causing him to miss Whalley's Pickwick Night - when he was supposed to be a VIP guest.

Organisers of the annual event were left baffled when Mr Souness - who was due to be guest star at the event - disappeared a few minutes after his arrival and didn't return.

He had been advised to move his car to a parking place behind The Swan pub because he wanted to get away early.

But police said he failed to follow the directions they had given him and drove away.

Today Mr Souness said that after he missed a turn-off when trying to park his car, officers prevented him from returning to the village to launch the three hour extravaganza - during which Whalley was transported back to Victorian times.

Mr Souness, who had not been working on the day of the event and had travelled specially from his home in Cheshire to attend, said he was disappointed that he had wasted so much time.

He said: "All I wanted to do was park my car. I missed the turning by 15 yards but I was not allowed to reverse back in because of the traffic measures the police had introduced.

"I was given the option of travelling a mile, to find an alternative parking space, which I did, but I was very concerned that I was going to miss the start of the event, which was at 6pm.

"I went back and spoke to the police but they would not let me through.

"They said they knew who I was and what did I expect them to do - valet park my car for me?"

Mr Souness added that he would be delighted to attend - and officially open - next year's event, if organisers were to invite him - and give him a parking space.

Inspector Bob Ford from Lancashire Police, who also attended the Pickwick Night event, said: "He was spoken to by police officers and given directions to reach the car park but he chose not to follow them and drove away.

"No official complaint has been received but if he wants to he is more than welcome. He did have a reserved parking space and was given directions on how to reach it."

Norman Atty, chairman of the local Chamber of Trade, said: "I can sympathise with anyone trying to park their car in Whalley at 6pm on Pickwick Night.

"We would be more than delighted if Mr Souness would come back next year and officially open the event for us.

"We will of course reserve a special car parking space for him - and send him a map!"