BURNLEY'S May Day Festival will go ahead as planned on Monday, with organisers forecasting a bumper free day of fun.

Storm clouds gathered after heavy recent rainfall threatened to wash out the workers' day celebration at Towneley for the first time in the history of the event.

But a final inspection by parks chiefs and Burnley Trade Union Council festival organisers yesterday produced the news everyone wanted to hear -- the show will go on! Said Trades Council president Tom Fallows: "Things looked uncertain earlier in the week when areas of the showground were covered in pools of water two inches deep.

"But the fact that the ground is drying quickly, combined with an excellent weather forecast for the weekend and Monday, gave us the confidence to press ahead."

The Festival Parade kicks off from Burnley Town Hall at 11.45am, featuring three bands and a children's roadshow, with give-away gifts for onlookers on the route to Towneley.

On the showground, guest speaker at the 1.0pm opening will be veteran anti nuclear campaigner Bruce Kent, supported by Liz Davies, a member of the Labour Party's national executive committee, who will speak about the rights of women in the new millennium.

Burnley and Pendle MPs Peter Pike and Gordon Prentice will also be present.