COLNE Rhythm and Blues Festival could be under threat amid concerns that noise and anti-social behaviour got out of control at this year's event.

The internationally-renowned event, which attracts between 60,000 and 70,000 people, has been criticised after residents and councillors complained that noise, anti-social behaviour and litter was spiralling out of control.

But business leaders in Colne said the festival was vital to the local economy - providing more than a month's profit in just one weekend.

There are fears the festival has now grown too big for Colne.

At Pendle's Borough Council's full council meeting on Thursday night, Horsefield ward councillor Dorothy Lord called for the event to be reviewed.

Council bosses now say they will consult residents on the festival's future.

The threat arises after the authority was slammed by the government ombudsman which decided in favour of residents over the amount of noise emanating from the festival.

It was ordered to pay more than £1,000 to resident Jan Hubbard for failing to respond to her concerns about the noise at the 2001 festival, the inconvenience she was caused by having to move out for the weekend and the further expense when she paid to have the levels monitored.

And Mrs Hubbard, of Walton Street, Colne, warned she was preparing to make a second complaint to the ombudsman if concerns were not addressed after this year's "nightmare" event.

She has emailed all Pendle's ward councillors after claiming this year's event was "hell on earth" for residents, despite the UP 4it Youth stage having a licence for the first time in the four years since it was established.

In her email she said: "The adverse impacts of the event fall overwhelmingly on residents of the Renewal Area. You may therefore find it odd that this year's event received £24,000 from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, as well as £2,000 from capital budget. I cannot imagine how the event contributes to targets for renewing the area.

"After four years the stage is generating the same problems as before. The location is fundamentally unsuitable for a large multi-day event. A major rethink is needed. We have yet to hear any convincing proposals from the council and have not ruled out a further complaint to the Ombudsman."

Coun Lord told a council meeting: "The event is really well run, the music is good but I don't think it's in the right place.

"I know what this is like because I live here and I know what problems there are.

"It has got far too big for us now and we really need to be looking at it and looking at moving it elsewhere."

Gary Hood, Great British National Rhythm and Blues organiser said he would be willing to meet with councillors to find ways of reviewing the festival.

He said: "This event is internationally renowned, it is the biggest in the country and one of the biggest in Europe is something we should be proud of and not want to get rid of."

Councillors have arranged a meeting at the end of November to discuss consulting all residents on the festival's future.